Tom Bazzone has made a career out of developing new businesses for national chains like Williams-Sonoma and Restoration Hardware. Now he’s leading a Dallas-based green business to greater heights of success.
If you’re a fan of Dallas’ Oak Cliff area (and who isn’t these days) then one group you’ll really appreciate is the Old Oak Cliff Conservation League (OOCCL). A 501(c)(3) organization that has been around since 1974, the league grew out of an attempt by developers to put townhouses in Winnetka Heights.
If you drive past Gary Gene Olp’s home, you may be struck by its contemporary design. But what makes his house truly different is not readily visible. Unlike most of the homes in Dallas, Mr. Olp’s house not only saves him money, it helps save the environment. “To be more specific, it is helping to preserve the environment for future generations,” explains Gary Gene Olp, who was recently appointed chairman of the North Texas chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council
What does "green" mean to you? From the opportunity for children to enjoy nature to the beauty of the smallest things around us, people who care about the environment are answering the question with entries in the 2011 Green Photo Contest by Green Source DFW. You have until the 30th to submit your entry through our Facebook page.
Many of us use hoses to water our gardens, fill our dogs’ water bowls, and fill pools. And in summer months, kids playing outdoor will often drink from the hose. What you may not know is that many hoses are made of polyvinyl chloride, which uses lead as a stabilizer. A 2007 Consumer Reports Study tested 16 hoses:
Ninety percent of the energy used to wash clothes comes from heating the water. However, you can reduce demand on the hot water heater by washing most clothing in cold water. You will also see less color fading with the clothes. Use hot water for whites, towels, and sheets. Washing sheets in hot water is especially important for killing dust mites. But even with the warmer loads, consider using the hot cycle initially and then using cold water in the rinse cycle. Hot water more effective at killing germs.