Author Archives: slcgreen

Leafy Greens That Clean the Air

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In Utah, we hear a lot about outdoor air quality. But indoor air quality is just as important, perhaps more so as we spend more time indoors.

Chemicals like formaldehyde, benzene and other solvents can be found in most homes today. Products like household cleaners, paints and new furniture can “off gas” these compounds into your air. Tips to clean your house without chemicals.

Aloe – Clears formaldehyde and benzene found in cleaners, paints, and new furniture.

aloe

Spider plant – Clears up formaldehyde, benzene, carbon monoxide and solvents.

Gerber daisy – Pretty and powerful at removing a common dry cleaning chemical.

Snake plant – Packs a punch for formaldehyde, a chemical commonly found in homes today.

Golden pothos – Another formaldehyde cleaner, this plant doesn’t require a lot of light to thrive.

Azalea – A bright pop of color, this shrub cleans up formaldehyde.

Bamboo palm – Love the shade and combats benzene and formaldehyde.

Heart leaf philodendron – Excellent for removing a variety of VOCs. Be careful with this one, it is poisonous if ingested.

Peace lily – Removes all three of the most common household VOCs – formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” — Margaret Mead

Your inspiration for the day.

What’s Your Gardening Potential?

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Have you ever wondered how much food you could grow in your yard if you took the time to garden? Now you can find out your gardening potential with this nifty tool!

Through the Community Food Production Mapping Tool, you have the ability to find out an estimation of your property’s food production potential. We website also links users to resources that will educate and empower them to grow more food. Simply zoom in and click on your address to see the following informtion:

  • Address
  • Lot Area
  • Arable Area
  • Calories (calories per year)
  • Food Days (days per year)

It’s fascinating! And it’s time for you to give it a try. Instructions for using the Community Food Production Mapping Tool are available at SLCgreen.com. 

 

Utah Bike Week

Utah Bike Week has arrived! And Utahns all along the Wasatch Front and beyond are celebrating the joys of traveling by two wheels.

This week is packed with events designed to celebrate biking, connect you with the biking community and reward you for leaving your car at home!

A few of our favorites:

  • Gallery Roll Art Show (May 17) – Meet at 177 East 200 South to take part in a fun art gallery “roll”
  • National Bike to Work Day w/SLC Commuter Pit Stops (May 17) – Look for bike-friendly “pit stops” on your way into work for free snacks, bicycle lights, beverages, stickers and other items.
  • Bike Bonanza (May 17, 4-8 p.m. @ Gallivan Center) – Join UTA for entertainment, prizes, booths and more. This is a great, family-friendly event!

You can learn more about all of the exciting Bike Month events at UtahBikeMonth.org.

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The Leonardo UpCycle Project

Our friends at The Leonardo have a very cool project that we just had to share with our readers!

The UpCycle Project takes items destined for the landfill and uses them to fuel innovation and creativity. Residents can drop off their old clutter which will then be up-cycled into a cool Art or Science project. Then stop by The Leo’s Tinkering Garage or the art Lab @ Leo to take part in one of their fun up-cycling activities!

Here’s a sample of items they are able to accept:

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Materials can be dropped off any time during regular business hours. More information is available on their website.

Be a Bicycle Ambassador

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Exciting news from Salt Lake County! Earlier this week, they introduced the first county-wide Bicycle Ambassador program in the United States.

Salt Lake County’s Bicycle Ambassadors will provide bicycle outreach and education to all 17 cities and unincorporated areas throughout Salt Lake County.

SLCo Bicycle Ambassadors are a group of outgoing and informed bicycle commuters in Salt Lake County. They travel by bicycle, promote bicycle use, serve as positive examples of responsible bicycling and serve as community resources for bicycle commuting support and guidance.

Become an Ambassador

Salt Lake County residents of all ages are encouraged to apply to become Bicycle Ambassadors. A successful candidate will be passionate about bicycles and knowledgeable of bicycle commuting in Salt Lake County.

More Information

Get more information on their website, and don’t forget to “like” them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter!

Media Coverage

Fox 13

The Salt Lake Tribune

Deseret News

DEQ Launches Air Quality Video Contest

Our friends at the Utah Department of Environmental Quality recently launched a video contest. They are looking for creative, 30 second public service announcements that can be used to educate Utahns about ozone and give them ideas to help improve our summer air quality.

Watch the introductory video to learn more about the contest:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7L27dtwQuFw?rel=0]

Prizes are at stake! First place will receive $500, with additional cash prizes for second and third place winners. Entries must be received by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 28th, so you have just a few weeks to get your award-winning video together!

Remember, this contest is specific to summer air quality, which comes in the form of ozone pollution. Learn more about the contest on the DEQ website. 

SLC Sanitation Launches New Customer Form

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Salt Lake City’s Sanitation Division recently launched a new online form that makes it easier for residents to report service issues related to their waste, recycling and curbside compost (yard waste) bins.

The online form covers the following common requests:

  • Missed pickup
  • Broken bin
  • Lost or stolen bin
  • Bins left overnight
  • Bins blocking traffic or bike lane
  • Seasonal – extra leaf bin and holiday tree pickup

Residents can also always call Sanitation Customer Service directly at (801) 535-6999. Learn more about your curbside waste service.

Grow Your Own Indoor Herbs

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Salt Lake City Green joined forces with KUTV2 this morning to show viewers how easy it is to grow your own indoor herb garden! View the segment.

Tools

  • Planter – choose one with excellent drainage.
  • A few of your favorite herbs – we love basil, oregano, rosemary, parsley and thyme.
  • Watering can
  • Potting soil – use a few rocks at the bottom of your planter to improve drainage.

Getting Started

If you are a novice gardener or don’t have much of a green thumb, growing an indoor culinary herb garden is an easy place to start. Most herbs are sun worshipers, so all you need to get started is a nice, sunny place in your home.

Plant

  • Start with a container large enough to accommodate growth.
  • Fill the pot with soil three quarters of the way full.
  • Moisten the soil
  • Remove herbs, loosen soil.
  • Place herbs in pot and fill with enough soil to cover the root ball.
  • Pat the soil down lightly and water well.

Care

  • Light is the most important element in growing indoor herbs. Find a spot that gets at least 6-8 hours of light a day.
    • Herbs growing long stems and few leaves are probably not getting enough light and are stretching to find it.
  • Water each herb according to its individual needs. To avoid over watering, only water your herbs when you see them start to wilt. This should be about once a week.
  • Regular clipping will promote further growth, so use your herbs frequently. But don’t cut more than a third off at one time.
  • If your herbs start flowering, they are not being clipped enough!

Enjoy!

Growing your own indoor herbs is an easy way to jazz up your cooking and experiment with new flavors — all while saving money. Just remember that fresh herbs have a 3:1 ratio, which means that you should use three times the amount of fresh herbs compared to their dry counterparts.

Bridget Stuchly with SLCGreen shows KUTV2's Mary Nickles how to plant an indoor herb garden.

Bridget Stuchly with SLCGreen shows KUTV2’s Mary Nickles how to plant an indoor herb garden.