Eureka Envirovac: Can A Vacuum Really Be Green?

In today’s marketplace  greenwashing is rampant.  Many companies are purposefully misleading consumers to believe that their products are environmentally friendly in order to catch that ever-important environmentally aware segment of the population.  In such a day, I wondered if there was really a thing as a green vacuum cleaner.

Sure, I’d heard the green benefits of installing a central vacuum system.  Longer life and no bags both equal less impact on the landfills.  With my modest pocketbook, the upfront price of $2000 plus to install a central vacuum system was out of my league.  A portable vacuum was more my speed.

In my attempt to answer this question, the friendly people at Eureka offered to send me their new, green Envirovac to try for myself.  I explained to them that I live in a busy household with two energetic kids, a frantic husband and one crazy cat.   Carpet, hardwoods, linoleum, and drapes are all included in the household.  The brave people at Eureka didn’t seem the least bit concerned.  Game on.

The Eureka Envirovac arrived in a 100% recycled and unbleached box.  The vacuum boasted such environmentally responsible features as an 8 amp motor (33% less energy to operate) and a washable HEPA filter (cleaner air and less waste).  How very green!

Now for the real test.  My eight year-old’s Read more

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DirectBuy offering eco-friendly green products for your home remodel?

Can’t say that any of us on the GetWithGreen team used a DirectBuy membership for our remodels, but I will say that some of us definitely were solicited to do so.   This week DirectBuy issued a press release saying that their members have the opportunity to purchase a variety of green products and save by paying manufacturer-direct prices.

According to the announcement, some of the green products available to DirectBuy members include:

• Faucets and plumbing fixtures tat offer low consumption
• Natural cork flooring and underlayments
• Flooring made of renewable natural bamboo
• Lighting and ceiling fans with Energy Star ratings
• Energy Star compliant kitchen appliances, washers and dryers
• Cabinets treated with low-voc, LEED-compliant stains
• Bedroom, dining room, living furniture manufactured by members of the Sustainable Furniture Council; many of these pieces are made from natural fibers, use eco-friendly foam, and contain organic, halogen-free fire retardants.

Being in an urban area doesn’t mean you can’t make ‘greener’ purchases. Living in the city is probably an even better reason why people should be buying green. Unfortunately, there’s no real Read more

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Are you taking advantage of refrigerator & freezer recycle rebates?

As you are demo’ing your house in preparation for your remodel, stop before you take that used refrigerator or freezer to the dump! There are organizations that will haul away your refrigerator or freezer, pay you a rebate, and then recycle it!

Southern California Edison (SCE) is one such organization. They will pay you to recycle your old refrigerator or freezer. You will receive a $50 check for that working refrigerator or freezer. And, by swapping your old appliances with new, energy-efficient ones or disposing of a spare unit, you can save up to $292 per year on your energy bill says SCE (savings based on 2006, assuming average use and conditions. Actual savings may vary according to SCE).

To be eligible, you must be an SCE customer. The appliance must be picked up at your SCE service address. The appliance must be in working condition at the time of pick up. The size of the appliance must be between 10-27 cubic feet.

Check your local utility for similar rebate and recycle programs for appliances, such as refrigerators and freezers!

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