practical * credible * local
You want to make environmentally friendly choices. But there’s so much information out there that it’s difficult to know what to do.
RDPL’s Rediscover Green Resource Guide lists and links you to resources that offer practical suggestions so you can figure out what you can do to help protect the environment. Our first series focuses on what you can do in and around your home. (Also, watch this page over the next few months as we prepare for upcoming series on green workplaces.)
The information on these pages will be updated regularly. We are asking the people of Red Deer to submit their suggestions and will add some of them to our lists as well. Review the criteria for selecting resources.
Series 1: Household
- Household Products
- Household Actions
- Household Choices that Protect our Resources
- Home Construction and Renovation
1. Household Products
Here is information about household products that are environmentally friendly. If you know of a book or web site or other resource that should appear on one of these lists, feel free to suggest that resource here.
General Resources:
- Ecoholic Home: the greenest, cleanest and most-energy-efficient information under one (Canadian) roof
by Adria Vasil - Ecoholic: your guide to the most environmentally friendly products, information and services in Canada
by Adria Vasil - Natural Resources Canada - Office of Energy Efficiency
This Government of Canada site has information on conserving energy and on the ecoENERGY Efficiency Initiative. - Ready, Set, Green: eight weeks to modern eco-living
by Graham Hill & Meagan O'Neil - Sustainable Red Deer
This web portal, operated by ReThink Red Deer volunteers, promotes the understanding of sustainability issues within the community. - Toxic Nation
This Environmental Defence site is a good resource for researching ways to reduce toxins in your life. - Whole Green Catalog: 1,000 best things for you and the earth
edited by Michael W. Robbins
Specific Topics:
Appliances- EnerGuide Appliance Directory 2009
by Natural Resources Canada
Cleaning (dishes, laundry, general) - Clean: the humble art of zen-cleansing
by Michael de Jong - Organic Housekeeping: in which the nontoxic avenger shows you how to improve your health and that of your family while you save time, money, and, perhaps, your sanity
by Ellen Sandbeck - Toxic Nation Guide to Spring Cleaning
This resource is produced by Environmental Defence.
Personal Care
Baby
Air Cleaning Plants
- Clean Air Plants
This is one of the Toronto Master Gardener factsheets produced by the Toronto Botanical Garden. - How to Grow Fresh Air: 50 houseplants that purify your home or office
by B.C. Wolverton
Food
Bedroom
Bathroom
Kitchen
Outdoor/Gardening
- 100 Easy-to-grow Native Plants for Canadian Gardens
by Lorraine Johnson - Alberta Native Plants Council
The Alberta Native Plants Council promotes the knowledge and conservation of the native plants and vegetation of Alberta. - A Practical Guide to Ecoscaping in Western Canada
This is a publication by EPCOR. - Creating the Prairie Xeriscape: low-maintenance, water-efficient gardening
by Sara Williams - NatureScape Alberta: creating and caring for wildlife habitat at home
by Myrna Pearman - Permaculture: A Beginner's Guide
This is a 60 page online resource by Graham Burnett and covers permaculture ethics and principles. - Permaculture: principles & pathways beyond sustainability
by David Holmgren
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2. Household Actions
Here is information about household actions that are environmentally friendly. If you know of a book or web site or other resource that should appear on one of these lists, feel free to suggest that resource here.
General Resources:
- One Simple Act
This Government of Alberta program empowers Albertans to begin an environmentally friendly lifestyle with one simple act. - Sustainable Red Deer
This web portal, operated by ReThink Red Deer volunteers, promotes the understanding of sustainability issues within the community.
Specific Topics:
Garbage/Recycling
- Alberta Recycling Management Authority
This not-for-profit association is responsible for managing Alberta's tire and electronics recycling programs. - City of Red Deer Recycling Program
- County of Red Deer Recycling Program
- Gone Tomorrow: the hidden life of garbage
by Heather Rogers - Red Deer Freecycle
Become a free member of this network and keep usable goods from filling the landfills. - Vehicle Scrappage Program
Repurposing
- Habitat for Humanity ReStore Directory
- Ready Made: how to make {almost} everything: a do-it-yourself primer
by Soshana Berger
Reusing
- Furoshiki
The Ministry of the Environment, Government of Japan, promotes the use and reuse of the Furoshiki, a Japanese wrapping cloth.
Composting
- Alberta Environment - Backyard Composting
This link will bring you to Alberta Environment's publication on composting. - Alberta Environment - Vermi Composting
This link will bring you to Alberta Environment's publication on composting with worms. - Composting Council of Canada
- The Complete Compost Gardening Guide: banner batches, grow heaps, comforter compost, and other amazing techniques for saving time and money, and producing the most flavorful, nutritious vegetables ever
by Barbara Pleasant and Deborah L. Martin
Recycling in Arts and Crafts
- The Big Green Book of Recycled Crafts
edited by Susan White Sullivan
3. Household Choices that Protect our Resources
Here is information about environmentally friendly household choices that you can make that will protect our resources. If you know of a book or web site or other resource that should appear on one of these lists, feel free to suggest that resource here.
General Resources:
Specific Topics:
Water (heating, toilets, rain barrels, etc.)
Rain Water Capture
- Rain Gardens: managing water sustainably in the garden and designed landscape
by Nigel Dunnett and Andy Clayden
Electricity (lighting, appliances, solar, etc.)
- Enmax Greenmax Program This program allows consumers to support renewable energy, produced in Alberta by EcoLogo certified facilities.
- Power form the Wind
by Daniel D. Chiras - Power from the Sun: achieving energy independence
by Daniel D. Chiras - Solar Cookers International
This nonprofit organization spreads solar cooking awareness and skills worldwide. Click on Solar Cooking Archive for an entire solar cookbook and designs for making your solar cooker.
Gas (furnaces, insulation, etc.)
4. Home Construction and Renovation
Here is information about environmentally friendly home construction and renovation in this community. If you know of a book or web site or other resource that should appear on one of these lists, feel free to suggest that resource here.
General Resources:
- Built Green Canada Program
This is a voluntary program for encouraging green building practices. The program targets energy efficiency, water conservation, indoor air quality, waste management, resource use, and environmental impact. - Canada Green Building Council
This site has information on The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, a rating system based on sustainable, green building and development practices. - Enervision Alberta
Enervision is a not-for-profit company with a mission to make the building community greener. The sole shareholder is the Canadian Home Builders' Association - Alberta.
Specific Topics:
Windows, Roofing, Siding
Alternative Energy Technology
Solar Refitting
Green Roofs
- Alastair Ross Technology Centre Green Roof - This is a green initiative of Calgary Technologies Inc.
- American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Green Roof Project
- Green Roofs for Healthy Cities - Green Roofs for Healthy Cities – North America Inc. is a not-for-profit industry association working to promote the green roof industry throughout North America. Some information requires membership.
Flooring Paints and Varnishes
Air Quality and Climate Control