Tom Watson's EcoConsumer Columns –
From The Seattle Times
Feb. 6, 2012
Rein in consumption, cut stress (PDF, 32 K)
Examples of overconsumption abound. The trick is to consume without creating excess waste or jeopardizing future resources.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
Jan. 24, 2012
Homework, skepticism needed with eco-labels (PDF, 54 K)
Environmental logos and symbols on product labels can provide valuable guidance, but the recent proliferation of green logos has generated considerable consumer confusion.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
Jan. 13, 2012
Raising a stink about the contents of fragrances (PDF, 25 K)
Manufacturers are not required to disclose any information about the chemicals in fragrances, and most don’t. Many public-health experts and environmental advocates say that stinks.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
Dec. 30, 2011
2012 wishes: easier recycling, less packaging (PDF, 25 K)
It’s the perfect time to put together our 2012 green wish list. Let’s examine a few of the environmental changes suggested by local consumers and readers in recent months.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
Dec. 16, 2011
Time to get into your holiday recycling zone (PDF, 24 K)
Being in the holiday recycling zone means that you've seamlessly incorporated recycling and waste reduction into your planning and activities.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
Dec. 1, 2011
O Christmas tree, shall it be real or made in China? (PDF, 24 K)
They only show up for a few weeks every year, yet Christmas trees have still managed to become an environmental touchstone.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
Nov. 18, 2011
Unwrap your imagination to make Christmas really green (PDF, 24 K)
If you give numerous gifts and do lots of decorating and entertaining for Christmas or other winter holidays, it's still early enough to decide this year will be different. You can maintain the same level of holiday celebration, but instead of buying everything new you can make some gifts and decorations yourself.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
Nov. 4, 2011
Risks seen in some hair products (PDF, 25 K)
Today we’ll highlight "green" and healthy hair care, from the perils of potentially toxic products to the best disposal options for hair.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
Oct. 21, 2011
Bathroom shelf may be source of microplastics in Sound (PDF, 25 K)
Even if we don’t all agree that tiny pieces of plastic in Puget Sound are a problem, at least we should be made aware when they come from our own bathroom.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
Oct. 7, 2011
Carbon footprint info can lead to wiser choices (PDF, 28 K)
If you think your impact on the environment matters, then you probably want to know how, when and why it matters. That’s where "carbon footprints" step in.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
Sept. 23, 2011
The right space heater can tame energy bills (PDF, 31 K)
Trying to outsmart our home heating bills is an annual fall pastime. Today we’ll focus on a specific product, the space heater, and explore its practical potential to tame energy bills.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
Sept. 6, 2011
How to reduce your pet’s environmental paw print (PDF, 31 K)
Our furry little friends, multiplied by millions, have become an enormous, ever-expanding industry.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
Aug. 23, 2011
Few people recycle small electronics, but it’s easy (PDF, 31 K)
Cell phones and other small, personal-electronics equipment such as MP3 music players have dismal recycling rates.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
August 12, 2011
Take our used mattresses, please (PDF, 30 K)
Although progress has been made recently on mattress recycling, they remain one of the most challenging items for consumers to recycle.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
July 29, 2011
Green strategies come out in wash (PDF, 31 K)
Doing laundry may be a thankless task, but we can still look on the bright, clean and green side.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
July 13, 2011
Staying green while at the beach (PDF, 32 K)
When we’re at the beach or on a boat during the short window of summer weather in the Puget Sound area, we don't need to leave our green values at home.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
June 28, 2011
A plan for the heat can keep you cool (PDF, 32 K)
Many of us don't plan adequately for climbing summer temperatures, and so we may miss out on hot opportunities to go green and save money.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
June 17, 2011
Tips for farming in the city (PDF, 32 K)
Keeping bees, chickens, goats and even ducks in the heart of the city no longer gets you labeled as a wacko.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
June 4, 2011
How to get groups to go green (PDF, 32 K)
Why is it so challenging to green up our groups and clubs?
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
May 21, 2011
Hunt for broader market puts new spin on bicycle (PDF, 34 K)
Dozens of fresh spins on the bicycle have been introduced to consumers the past few years, from futuristic to practical.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
May 6, 2011
Transparent answers on recycling glass (PDF, 28 K)
Glass recycling is a local success story, even as it illustrates the complexities of modern recycling.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
April 22, 2011
Earth Day awareness enhanced by green groups (PDF, 48 K)
Environmental organizations flourish in our neck of the woods, so as we celebrate Earth Day it's a fitting time to contemplate our bounty of local green groups.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
April 3, 2011
Dispose of hazardous waste the safe way (PDF, 46 K)
A growing number of options and resources are available for proper disposal of potentially toxic household products.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
March 26, 2011
Compost’s organic enhancement a natural for gardens (PDF, 45 K)
The use of organic soil amendment products by homeowners, property managers and developers is just a fraction of what it could be.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
March 11, 2011
Stewardship limits carpeting in landfills (PDF, 47 K)
Nearly 3 percent of all waste disposed of in Washington state is carpeting, with 50,000 tons of carpet and carpet pads dumped in landfills every year from King County alone.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
Feb. 25, 2011
Sunrise for solar? Bulk purchasing among hopeful signs (PDF, 47 K)
The sun is finally rising as a viable power source for our homes and buildings, even here in Seattle.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
Feb. 10, 2011
Shoe repair can be a green strategy (PDF, 30 K)
More than 50 shoe-repair shops in the Seattle area keep the cobbler's craft alive, illustrating that repair can still be a green, economical strategy for consumers.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
Jan. 28, 2011
Safe, durable tires also good for environment (PDF, 31 K)
The tires on our car have a significant environmental impact when they are produced and disposed of, and when the rubber meets the road.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
Jan. 14, 2011
Unused drugs threat to environment, safety (PDF, 29 K)
Largely ignored just five years ago, drug disposal has bubbled to the surface as a significant environmental and public- safety concern.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
Please see the archives to view previous EcoConsumer columns.
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