Tom Watson's EcoConsumer Columns –
From The Seattle Times
June 20, 2009
Be wary, not alarmist, about chemicals in household products (PDF, 28 K)
Here's what people really want to know: Are chemicals in household products a health risk for me or my kids?
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
June 6, 2009
Flushing out the truth about recycled toilet paper (PDF, 28 K)
Which would you rather flush: a tree or an old office memo?
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
May 23, 2009
Catching up on state's new crop of green legislation (PDF, 57 K)
With all the green products, programs and practices constantly being introduced, consumers have a hard time keeping track.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
May 9, 2009
Fair-trade commerce: a green, social solution (PDF, 29 K)
The only problem with making the world greener is that so many other problems remain.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
April 25, 2009
Economy vs. environment? No need to choose (PDF, 28 K)
We look at the complicated relationship between money and the environment, from the global economy to your own household.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
April 19, 2009
Eating local means figuring out your "food miles" (PDF, 30 K)
This guide will help you sort out the different options and trade-offs as you try to buy food produced closer to home.
Note: This article was published in "Footprint," a quarterly environmental section.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
April 11, 2009
Green light at the end of the bicycle path (PDF, 28 K)
As the ultimate green and healthy consumer activity, biking is worth fighting for, and it's gaining friends in high places.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
March 28, 2009
What's the greenest way to pick up after your pets? (PDF, 28 K)
Until genetic engineers develop a dog or cat that doesn't poop, there's no escaping those little piles they leave behind.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
Mar. 14, 2009
Seattle will be doing more to waste less (PDF, 63 K)
On March 30, the city of Seattle rolls out a major makeover for recycling. Let's look at the new program and how it fits into the big picture.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
Feb. 28, 2009
Striking an efficient balance in the wood-burning debate (PDF, 29 K)
From changing regulations to new technology, let's burn through some common consumer questions about heating with wood.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
Feb. 14, 2009
Product stewardship leads companies to provide free e-waste recycling (PDF, 29 K)
Under Washington state's innovative new law regulating electronic waste, or "e-waste," manufacturers now pay for recycling of TVs and computers.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
Jan. 31, 2009
Ready for clean break with single-use bags? (PDF, 32 K)
Let's get to the bottom of the plastic bag battle as we answer common consumer questions.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
Nov. 29, 2008
Easy ways to make the holidays green and jolly (PDF, 92 K)
Whether your holiday decorating style leans toward the traditional, the contemporary or the downright quirky, follow these tips for low-cost, eco-friendly decorating.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
Nov. 15, 2008
Protecting yourself from plastic hazards (PDF, 30 K)
"Better living through chemistry!" That chemical–company slogan from 50 years ago has largely come true. But "better living" can have hidden costs.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
Nov. 8, 2008
It's getting easier to feel good about your furniture (PDF, 38 K)
Just like every picture tells a story, so does every piece of furniture.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
Oct. 18, 2008
A green Halloween is very eek-o chic (PDF, 29 K)
How do you turn a black-and-orange holiday into a green one?
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
Oct. 4, 2008
Despite new lead laws, consumers still need to be vigilant (PDF, 63 K)
After using lead for more than 6,000 years, humans are finally learning how to prevent it from poisoning us.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
Sep. 20, 2008
Winterizing your home brings warm rewards (PDF, 94 K)
Winterizing our homes can seem like such thankless drudgery that most of us either do the bare minimum or neglect it completely.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
Sep. 6, 2008
Dry cleaning is getting greener, but some efforts are spotty (PDF, 62 K)
Though still largely dependent on a hazardous chemical, the dry-cleaning industry has worked hard to clean up its act.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
Aug. 23, 2008
Going back-to-school shopping? Be kind to your wallet and the planet (PDF, 67 K)
The never-ending parental juggling act gets even trickier at back-to-school time, especially if you want to go green and spend lean.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
Aug. 16, 2008
Saying "I do" to a green wedding (PDF, 142 K)
For a sterling example of the contradictions of modern environmentalism, look no further than the green-wedding movement.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
July 19, 2008
It takes a less-is-more attitude to embrace smaller houses (PDF, 66 K)
In these troubled economic times, the savings from buying and living in a smaller home loom large.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
July 12, 2008
Waging the water-bottle battle (PDF, 112 K)
When we drink water, what's the real message in the bottle?
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
June 29, 2008
Cloth vs. paper vs. dryers: How to be clean and green when you wipe your hands (PDF, 79 K)
Sometimes the most mundane environmental choices are the most perplexing.
Note: This article was published in "Footprint," a quarterly environmental section.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
June 28, 2008
Cleaning the basement or garage can make a big green difference (PDF, 89 K)
Few household chores provide the visceral satisfaction of cleaning and organizing the basement or garage.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
June 7, 2008
Harnessing the green power of windows (PDF, 94 K)
Follow these tips to take full advantage of the green potential in your windows.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
May 17, 2008
Living green in the living room (PDF, 76 K)
The road to green living runs directly through your living room.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
May 3, 2008
Make a green statement with your next bouquet (PDF, 47 K)
Whether you're sending a Mother's Day bouquet across the country, or just adding some color and fragrance to your home, follow this guide to make your cut flowers as green as nature intended.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
April 20, 2008
Good mileage, safety often don't ride together (PDF, 96 K)
When your green tendencies collide with reality, you've got an eco-dilemma on your hands.
Note: This article was published in "Footprint," a quarterly environmental section.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
April 12, 2008
Questions to ask before buying a supposedly “green” product (PDF, 225 K)
How many "green" products will it take to stop global warming? If you answered, “as few as possible,” you‘re on the right track.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
April 5, 2008
Sweet dreams: a green makeover for the bedroom (PDF, 59 K)
With these tips, you can do a quick bedroom eco-makeover without spending a pillowcase full of cash.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
March 15, 2008
Wake up to coffee’s impact (PDF, 64 K)
Every sip you take of coffee or tea has global consequences.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
March 8, 2008
Don’t overlook the bathroom as you turn the home green (PDF, 57 K)
It may be one of the smallest rooms in your home, but the bathroom offers myriad ways to reduce your environmental impact.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
Feb. 23, 2008
How to find the best carbon offsets (PDF, 85 K)
Once considered a gimmick, carbon offsets have moved to the front lines in the fight against global warming.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
Feb. 2, 2008
Easy steps toward a greener kitchen (PDF, 67 K)
You can make your kitchen significantly greener and more healthful just by taking simple steps over a weekend at a total cost of under $100.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
January 19, 2008
Tame your paper monster (PDF, 32 K)
Paper spreads in our homes like a plague, taking over desktops, tables and drawers.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
January 5, 2008
See Spot go green (PDF, 58 K)
You don’t have to walk on two legs to go green.
Reprinted with permission from The Seattle Times.
Please see the archives to view previous EcoConsumer columns.
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