Celebrate Earth Day by reducing paper consumption

At Gundersen, we try to reduce the amount of paper we consume daily by unsubscribing from unwanted junk mail and switching to digital file formats. We ask you to join us this Earth Day in our pursuit. Here are some easy ways to limit how much paper you use at home and, ultimately, pave the way to a paperless lifestyle:

• Paper or plastic? How about neither! Bring a reusable bag when grocery shopping.
• Forget notebooks and use the Notes app on your phone instead.
• Ditch your paper calendar for a reusable dry erase one.
• Pay your bills digitally.
• Unsubscribe from unsolicited mail.
• Use online payment services like Venmo instead of sending checks or money in the mail.
• Compile digital files of your important documents like family members’ medical history, educational accolades, etc.
• Schedule self-audits.
• Save everything to a hard drive.

For more eco-friendly tips and ideas, check out the Envision® blog at gundersenenvision.org. Happy Earth Day!

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Going green in 2019

Are you itching to make a change in 2019? Consider becoming an environmentalist by consciously decreasing your carbon footprint. Here are some ways to do so:

• Use reusable grocery bags when you shop. Some markets will even give you a discount for bringing your own bags.
• Try to avoid purchasing new clothes. Instead, find hand-me-downs or shop for secondhand apparel.
• Decrease your meat consumption. Meat packing plants release considerable methane gas into our atmosphere, which contributes to global warming.
• Be a conscious consumer and only purchase household necessities.
• Compost your unwanted food waste instead of throwing it out.
• Conserve water and don’t let it run when you wash food, brush your teeth, wash your hands or clean your dishes.
• Limit your air travel when possible.
• Ask for no straw at local restaurants.
• Buy in bulk to reduce purchasing one-use plastic and packaging (cereal, coffee, beans, rice, pasta, nuts, etc.).
• Go paperless by paying your bills online, sending letters via email, etc.
•  Line dry your clothing instead of using energy to dry them in a drier.

Happy Oktoberfesting!

Oktoberfest is here and there’s many ways you can celebrate it in an eco-friendly manner. Check out a few tips below:

– Buy festival themed goodies from a local bakery or try making them yourself.
– Traveling in a group to the festival? Consider carpooling or walking to save on fuel and costs.
– If you plan to dress up, try looking for outfits at a local secondhand shop or get creative and make it yourself!
– Go local by purchasing beverages and foods from local restaurants versus big box stores or fast food chains.
– Consider hosting your own Oktoberfest party at home and invite a few friends and family members to save on fuel and costs.

Always remember to travel in groups and make sure to have a designated driver assigned if needed. Happy Oktoberfesting!

May is National Bike Month

National Bike Month

The month of May is national bike month! This is a great opportunity to encourage more people to start enjoying the health benefits of biking and get outdoors. Here’s a few biking tips to help you get out on the trails:
Consider biking to and from work. This will save you gas money and the hassle of trying to find a parking spot. Some city buses even have bike carriers if you’re route to work is too far to bike all the way.
Try biking as a workout. Biking doesn’t have to be limited to roads or flat trails. Some bikes are actually designed to withstand hilly or rough terrains so you can maximize your workout.
Have small children? Consider investing in a trailer that you can haul behind your bike so that your kids can join the ride. You could even try investing in a two person bike or buying your kids bikes of their own.
Don’t have your own bike or can’t afford one? Many bike stores will offer bike rentals which is also a great opportunity to try out different bike varieties and figure out which bikes best suit your needs.
Don’t know where to bike? Check your local county website or town hall for a listing of nearby bike trails or paved paths.
Happy pedaling!

Food Depackaging Services

Gundersen’s food depackaging services in Middleton, Wis., can have big impacts on your bottom line and the health of the environment.

Rather than burying your food waste in a landfill, our depackaging services separate organic and non-organic materials to reuse as much as possible. Acceptable items are then recycled or turned into renewable energy—simultaneously reducing your carbon footprint and costs associated with garbage disposal.

Items that can be processed include canned food, bagged food, plastic containers, compostable food waste and more. For additional details, including full lists of what can and cannot be processed, contact Emma Westphal at efwestph@gundersenhealth.org or (608) 775-0831.

Certificates of destruction are available upon request.

Save money and go green

Save Money and Go Green

With earth day just around the corner, now is the perfect time to start incorporating green habits into your everyday routine if you haven’t already. Not only do green practices benefit the planet, they can save you money! Here are a few tips to get you started on a green routine.
1. Buy kitchen cloth towels instead of paper towels.
Buying reusable cloth towels may seem like a big investment upfront but in the long run it will save you money because you won’t have to keep purchasing paper towels. Take this tip one step further and look for towels made out of organic fabric.
2. Limit your takeout each month.
Buying takeout food produces a lot of waste and over time the cost adds up. Focus on eating more at home. Take this tip one step further and try to incorporate local and organic options into your grocery list.
3. Brew your own coffee or tea at home.
Just like buying takeout, buying coffee or tea on the go produces a lot of waste and becomes expensive over time. Consider buying your own tea kettle or coffee maker. Take this tip one step further by purchasing organic tea or sustainably sourced coffee beans.
4. Limit your screen time.
It’s tempting to watch TV in the evening before bed but this habit can disrupt your sleep and add to your energy costs. Consider turning off the TV an hour before going to bed and read a book instead or spend time with your family. Take this tip one step further and limit time in front of the computer as well.
5. Make your own cleaning supplies
Store-bought cleaning supplies are expensive and it’s not always easy to know whether the ingredients are safe for you and your family. You can save money and help the environment by making your own cleaning supplies using simple ingredients around your house, such as lemon juice, vinegar and baking soda. Take this tip one step further by reusing a spray bottle or container.
Not sure how to create your own cleaning supplies? Check out our blog https://gundersenenvision.wordpress.com/2017/09/05/green-cleaning/

Go Green in March

How can you “go green” in March?

Even though April is known as earth month, we should be thinking of ways to go green every month. In March for example, many people go green for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, but there is another kind of “green” to consider!

1. Think local. Buy locally produced foods or drinks, and use reusable tableware and utensils versus disposable items if you are hosting a St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
2. Get festive. Make St. Patrick’s Day or spring themed decorations with recycled or reused materials. Not only will it benefit the environment, it will save you money.
3. Take out the bike. If you are attending a St. Patrick’s Day celebration, consider walking or biking to get there. If the weather prevents you from walking or biking, consider carpooling or utilizing the local transit system.
4. Get digging. Use the first day of spring as an excuse to start prepping for the gardening season by picking out seeds from a local seed library or buying locally produced compost or potting soil

Check out Envision’s Udderly Green soil amendment products: http://www.gundersenenvision.org/envision/learn-from-the-leader/
For more information on how you can order any of our Udderly Green soil amendment products contact: efwestph@gundersenhealth.org