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Water Pollution
It is very important that we are
aware that some of the household, yard, and industrial products we use every
day can have a very negative impact on the watershed we live in. Water is a
unique substance with the ability to be naturally cleansed through natural
processes, but these take time can give pollutants freedom to disturb, disrupt,
or destroy a water body or water cycle, overpowering its capacity to restore
itself. Many of the materials that we use have the potential to negatively
affect our watershed and ourselves if not disposed of properly.
Green Boating
Whether recreational or commercial, boating is an integral part of life for many of us living in the Clayoquot Sound properly. Taking the necessary steps to limit the amount of pollution caused by motorized marine recreation is integral in protecting the diverse ecological communities that we share water with. When it comes to boating, one of the main contributors to marine pollution is the two stroke outboard. In terms of fule consumption, these motors are very inefficient, and when fuel passes through the combustion chamber upwards of 30 to 50 percent remains unburned. This portion is then exhausted directly into the ocean. To increase efficiency, many switch to four-stroke motors which burn 40% to 80% less fuel, consume up to 50% less lubricating oil, and reduce hydocarbon emissions by up to 90%.
Click here for the Georgia Strait Alliance's Guide to Green Boating.
Click here for a list of grey and blackwater pumpout stations in British Columbia.
Click here for a list of Harbour Authorities in British Columbia.
Green Boating
Whether recreational or commercial, boating is an integral part of life for many of us living in the Clayoquot Sound properly. Taking the necessary steps to limit the amount of pollution caused by motorized marine recreation is integral in protecting the diverse ecological communities that we share water with. When it comes to boating, one of the main contributors to marine pollution is the two stroke outboard. In terms of fule consumption, these motors are very inefficient, and when fuel passes through the combustion chamber upwards of 30 to 50 percent remains unburned. This portion is then exhausted directly into the ocean. To increase efficiency, many switch to four-stroke motors which burn 40% to 80% less fuel, consume up to 50% less lubricating oil, and reduce hydocarbon emissions by up to 90%.
Click here for the Georgia Strait Alliance's Guide to Green Boating.
Click here for a list of grey and blackwater pumpout stations in British Columbia.
Click here for a list of Harbour Authorities in British Columbia.
Disposing of Dangerous Chemicals
Many of the toxic chemicals that
must never be poured down the drain tend to fall in the category of home
improvement materials. Paints and solvents, household cleaners and polishes,
herbicides and pesticides can all contaminate bodies of water, poison plants
and animals, and render the water unfit for consumption. When a job requires
materials that contain harsher chemical agents, it is very important to dispose
of leftovers and their containers properly. There are depots within the Alberni
Clayoquot Regional District (ACRD) that will dispose of these materials safely.
Please click here to download the list. Not included on the list is Long Beach
Automotive in Tofino, which will accept oil, car batteries and scrap tires free
of charge. Old gasoline and antifreeze is also accepted for a fee. It is a good
idea to call ahead, especially if you plan to drop off recycled oil, as there
may be a specific quantity that they can store at a time: 250.725.2030.
Eco-certified Household Products
Whenever possible, buying
eco-friendly and organic household products can help reduce the amount of
toxins in our watershed. However, it’s important to be aware of the 'greenwashing'
that takes place when companies try to capitalize on the public's growing
interest in environmentally safe products by making misleading claims that
their products are eco-friendly. Environmental marketers TerraChoice conducted
product research on over 1,000 products and identified "Six Sins of
Greenwashing". Click here to download the report. Buying certified
products or products with multiple certifications is a good way to safeguard
against greenwashing. Household cleaners with Ecologo and/or GreenSeal
certification offer some assurance that these products do not contain the harsh
chemical agents or toxic ingredients that their conventional counterpart may
contain.
Ecologo Certification
In 1988 the Canadian government
founded Ecologo to provide customers with assurance those products and services
bearing the logo comply with stringent environmental standards. The initiative
has since become recognized internationally as a leader in environmental
certification. Ecologo administers “Type
I” labelling as defined by the International Organization for Standardization's
(ISO) ISO 14024 mandate.
This means that products are categorized and then compared on a variety of criteria to identify those that are produced, transported, used and disposed of in an eco-friendly manner. These criteria are dynamic and are consistently updated to reflect changes in the marketplace and compliance is audited by an independent third party. You can click on the logo for a link to their home page where you can find a list of Ecologo products, the criteria that each product must met before certification, and more.
This means that products are categorized and then compared on a variety of criteria to identify those that are produced, transported, used and disposed of in an eco-friendly manner. These criteria are dynamic and are consistently updated to reflect changes in the marketplace and compliance is audited by an independent third party. You can click on the logo for a link to their home page where you can find a list of Ecologo products, the criteria that each product must met before certification, and more.
Green Seal
Established in 1989, Green Seal is a non-profit institution that reviews products and services and selects those that comply with environmentally sustainable criteria. The reviews process encompasses a product's entire life cycle--from the collection of raw material for its creation all the way through to its disposal--using an independant third-party to confirm that criteria are achieved before certification is awarded. GreenSeal and Ecologo are the only two environmental labelling programs to be successfully audited by the Global Ecolabelling Network as meeting the ISO 14024 ecolabelling standards.
Recipes for Non-toxic Cleaners
The greater portion of household
cleaning, from removing stains to polishing brass, can be done with homemade
household cleaners. There are many non-toxic materials around the home that can
be combined to create cleaners with little or no noxious affects that can be
used for everything from cleaning windows to whitening clothes. Some of these can
be bought ready-to-use in the marketplace; others can be made at home. Below,
categorized alphabetically by household product or task, you'll find recipes
for concocting less toxic alternatives for many cleaning products and some tips
that can help keep your home and the environment cleaner.
AIR FRESHENERS
Tips:
- Baking soda in an open container will absorb odours in enclosed spaces.
- Zeolite, a mineral, will absorb odors as well as heavy metals.
- Simmer water and cinnamon or other spices on stove.
- Place bowls of fragrant dried herbs or flowers in room.
- Put a fan in a window drawing air out and open other windows to increase circulation.
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ALL-PURPOSE CLEANER
Multipurpose cleaners
- 1 tsp. borax (caution: do not inhale powder)
- 1/2 tsp. washing soda
- 2 Tbsp. vinegar
- 1/2 tsp. liquid castile soap
- 2 cups hot water
-add the first four ingredients to a pump spray bottle,
then slowly add the hot water and shake until dry ingredients are
dissolved. Label the bottle.
Vinegar Cleaner
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 cup water
-wipe on or mix in non-aerosol spray bottle.
Tips:
- Microfiber cloths can significantly reduce use of chemical cleaning agents.
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BLEACH
- Use 1/2 cup Borax in washer (caution: do not inhale powder).
- Use 1/8 to 1 cup of sodium hexametaphosphate (a mineral powder) per 5 gallons of water in regular wash cycle and reduce soap by 1/2. Amount depends on hardness of water.
Tips:
- Sunshine will whiten cotton and linen.
- Never combine bleach with ammonia or vinegar. Extremely toxic fumes produced
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CARPET CLEANER
Carpet Stain Remover
- In a 500 ml spray bottle: Fill one-half with warm water. Fill rest of bottle with vinegar, to within one inch from top. Add 1 tablespoon liquid castile soap. Label bottle. Spray on carpet stains until soaked. with a damp cloth, rub the stain out. Apply to stain as soon as possible.
Heavy Duty Carpet Cleaner
- Mix 1/4 cup each of salt, borax and vinegar. Rub paste into carpet and leave for a few hours. Vacuum.
Carpet Deodorizer
- Sprinkle baking soda on carpet. Let sit for a few hours or over night, then vacuum well.
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DRAIN OPENER
Drain Cleaner
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- Boiling water
-Pour baking soda down drain. Add white vinegar and cover drain, if
possible. Vinegar and baking soda break down fatty acids. Let sit for 5
minute, then pour a kettle of boiling water down drain. This method can
be used twice a month to help prevent drain clogs. Do not use this
method if you have sed a commercial drain opener that may still be
present in the pipes.
Drain Opener
- Use a plunger. It may take a number of plunges to unclog the drain. Do not use this method if a commercial drain opener was recently used.
- If the plunger does not clear the drain use a flexible metal snake. These are usually more effective than chemical drain openers.
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FLOOR CLEANERS, WAX & POLISH
Floor Cleaner
- Add 1 cup Vinegar to a pail of water
Stronger Floor Cleaner
- 1/4 cup washing soda
- 1 Tbsp. liquid castile soap
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 8 liters hot water
-Mix well to dissolve washing soda
Wood Floor Cleaner
- 1/4 cup liquid castile soap
- 1/2 to 1 cup white vinegar
- 8 liters warm water
Wood Floor Polish
- 1/8 cup olive oil or other vegetable oil
- 1 Tbsp. white vinegar
- 1 Tbsp. vodka
Wood Floor Oil Polish
- Rub with olive oil
Wood Floor Wax
- 1 cup olive oil, almond or walnut oil
- 1/2 cup vodka
- 30 - 40 grams grated beeswax
- 40 - 55 grams carnauba wax
-Put oils and the waxes into a wide-mouth glass jar or tin can and
set in pot of simmering water. Stir gently until waxes are dissolved.
Remove from heat and add vodka, mixing well. Allow to harden. Use a rag
to rub into wood. If the rag 'drags' to much, dip it in a small amount
of oil.
Furniture Polish
- 1 cup olive oil, almond or walnut oil
- 1/2 cup vinegar or lemon juice
-Shake well and apply to a soft rag. Spread evenly over furniture surface. Polish with dry cloth.
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GLASS CLEANER
Eyeglass Cleaner
- A microfiber cloth and plain water work well to clean glasses streak free and eliminate the need for chemical cleaners.
Window Cleaner I
- 1/2 tsp. liquid castile soap
- 3 Tbsp. white vinegar
- 2 cups water
Window Cleaner II
- One part water - One part vinegar (or lemon juice)
-Add ingredients to a pump spray bottle, mix and label.
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HEAVY DUTY CLEANER
Strong All-purpose Cleaner
- 1 tsp. liquid castile soap
- 1 tsp. trisodium phosphate
- 1 tsp. borax
- 1 liter hot water
-Good for grease and mildew. Wipe on or use pump spray bottle.
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LAUNDRY
Whitener
- Add up to 1/2 cup of 20 Mule Team Borax or arm a& Hammer Washing Soda to washer.
Stain Remover
- 1/4 cup borax
- 2 cups cold water
- Add baking soda or washing soda to remove odours, mould or grease.
-Soak clothing in mixture or apply directly to stain.
Light-colored Clothing Starch
- Dissolve 2 to 3 tsp. of cornstarch in 1 pint of water. Pour into pump spray bottle.
Dark-colored Clothing Starch
- Dissolve 2 to 3 tsp. of cornstarch in 1 cup of water. Add 1/2 cup black tea. Pour into refillable spray bottle.
Tip:
- Reducing recommended quantity of detergent by half or more is often enough to get clothes clean.
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LIME OR MINERAL REMOVER
Lime Remover Paste
- Add baking soda to water to make paste. Scrub with hard bristled brush or tooth brush.
Lime and Mineral Deposit Remover
- Soak a rag in vinegar. Apply to lime deposits around faucet. Leave on for about one hour to soften deposits, then wipe or scrub area.
Shower Heads
- Place 1/4 to 1/2 cup white vinegar in a plastic bag and secure the bag around shower head with elastic band. Let stand for 2 hours to overnight, then rinse and buff fixture.
Kettle Descaler
- Boil one part white vinegar with two parts water in kettle for 15 minutes. Rinse. To remove vinegar residue, boil full kettle of water for 15 minutes.
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METAL CLEANER/POLISH
Aluminum Cleaner
- 2 Tbsp. cream of tartar
- 1 liter of water
-To clean aluminum cookware, combine the ingredients and bring
solution to boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Wash and dry as usual.
Brass and Copper Polish
- Lemon juice
- Baking soda or cream of tartar
-Make a paste (about the consistency of toothpaste). Rub on surface with a soft cloth. Rinse with water and dry.
Brass, Copper and Pewter Polish
- Mix equal parts salt and vinegar, then thicken with flour. Polish.
Chrome and Stainless Steel Cleaner
- Dip soft cloth with undiluted white vinegar and wipe surface.
Rust Remover
- Dip fine steel wool in vegetable oil and gently rub surface. The finer the steel wool, the less noticeable scratches will be.
Removing Tarnish from Old Copper Brass
- Add lemon juice to a small pile of salt. Use with cloth to polish surface, then rinse and dry the area thoroughly.
Silver Polish
- Polish with toothpaste
- For silverware, place silver on a piece of aluminum foil in a pot, add 3 inches of water, 1 tsp. baking soda, 1 tsp. salt. Boil for a few minutes, rinse and dry.
- For jewelry, fill glass jar half full with thin strips of aluminum foil. Fill with cold water and add 1 Tbsp. salt. Keep covered. Rinse and dry to use.
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OVEN CLEANER
- Dissolve 2 Tbsp. liquid castile soap, 2 tsp. borax with warm water to fill spray bottle. Spray on keeping nozzle close to oven surface. Although these are natural ingredients, it is best wear goggles and rubber gloves. Leave solution for 20 minutes, then scrub with nylon pad and baking soda.
Tip:
- With oven still warm, sprinkle water on spills, then sprinkle salt on water. When oven cools down, scrape the spill away and wash the area.
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SCOURING POWDER
Homemade Scouring Powder
- 1 cup baking soda
- 1 cup borax
- 1 cup regular salt
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SINK, TUB & TILE
Tub and Tile Cleaner
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
-Apply to scouring pad
Homemade Spray Cleaner
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 cup water
-Wipe one, or use in a non-aerosol spray bottle
Tip:
- For tougher bathroom grime and mildew, remove spray bottle top and heat solution in microwave until just hot. Spray area and let stand for 10 to 15 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing.
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SPOT REMOVER
General Spot Remover
- Dissolve 1/4 cup borax in hot water. Let cool before sponging on fabrics or carpets.
Tip:
- Club soda can clean many stains. Work into stain and clean off with sponge. For tougher stains, mix club soda with baking soda.
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TOILET BOWL CLEANER
- Pour 1 cup of borax and 1/4 cup white vinegar into toilet. Let sit over night before scrubbing bowl.
- White vinegar can be used alone to scrub bowl and outer toilet and removes odours as well.
- Pour 1 can of Coke into toilet. Scrub and flush.
