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TerraPass Answers


What’s greener than grass?

Grass seems green enough… but is there a greener alternative that doesn’t need watering?

Pete Davies | April 28, 2009
 

This week’s question was sent in anonymously… I asked my city of Santa Fe Springs if I could do something with the parkway, other than grass. They denied my claim for concrete. I am trying to conserve water and they said no: the parkway has to be green . So I said ok i’ll purchase fake green grass. “NO NO NO” was their response. What should I do? Any eco-friendly landscaping experts out there able...

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What car should I buy for a family of six?

Big families need big cars — are there any affordable, fuel-efficiency options?

TerraPass | March 31, 2009
 

This week’s question comes from one of our own staff. If you have suggestions, please leave them in the comments below. Its time! My Ford Windstar has over 100,000 miles, the automatic doors do not work anymore, and it cost me a new transmission about three years ago. I never miss an oil change and believe cars should not be disposable items to be replaced every few years, but the time has come to “pimp...

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Low impact kitchen flooring

A Footprint reader seeks advice on sustainable flooring options for her kitchen

Pete Davies | March 1, 2009
 

After a short hiatus, TerraPass Answers returns to The Footprint. This week’s question from Deborah Hyde: What’s your take on concrete floors for a kitchen? I’m doing a remodel, and am trying to think of some low-impact materials to use. I don’t have a ton of money to make a completely green space, but if I can use recycled materials or other non-toxic, non-polluting, low VOC, etc., materials, I think I’ll be happy. Can you...

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Do lights use more energy to warm up?

The latest in our series where you can help out a fellow Footprint reader.

Pete Davies | November 20, 2008
 

This week’s question comes from Susan Fiore: I was brought up to turn the light off when I leave a room, even for a few minutes. My husband says it costs more to turn it off and back on again than leaving it on if you’re coming back soon. So which is right? And is it different for florescent, incandescent and halogen? Can you help? Leave your answers to Susan’s question in the comments below...

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Should I buy a new car?

Your help needed as a TerraPass reader lays out the case for a new car.

TerraPass | October 30, 2008
 

This week’s question from Tom Wilson… OK, I realize a car’s major carbon footprint is the actual gas that it uses. What is the carbon footprint to just build a new car before it uses any gas? Am I shrinking my footprint by not buying a new car? The last new car I bought was a four cylinder, five speed manual transmission, four door sedan purchased in August of 1987. It still averages 22-24 mpg...

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Is the Prius battery toxic?

TerraPass Answers tackles the myth (or is it?) of the Prius battery

TerraPass | October 20, 2008
 

You’re proving to be big fans of our new TerraPass Answers feature. This week’s question is from Nushin in Colorado. My sister in law who is an insurance company adjuster tells me that there is something toxic about the battery cell in the Prius. Is this true? Do you know the answer? Post in the comments section below. Previous questions and answers Is online shopping bad for the environment? How much efficiency do I gain...

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Is online shopping bad for the environment?

Another TerraPass member needs your help.

TerraPass | October 14, 2008
 

Sandeep wrote to us this week to ask the following: I’d like to know if online shopping is worse for the environment compared to the usual way of purchasing the list of items together at the supermarket or street side store? I was discussing this with a friend who buys stuff online all the time! I would think e-buying isn’t good. Can you help? Answers please in the comments below. Want to submit your own...

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TerraPass Answers - your help needed

Know anything about hybrids or tire pressure? Then help out a fellow reader.

Pete Davies | October 7, 2008
 

We’re always happy to receive your feedback, comments and questions at TerraPass. But sometimes it’s difficult to be able to answer everything, especially when we may not have the necessary expertise. So we thought it might be a good idea to pass on some of the questions we get to our blog readers… can you help Pia or Maria? Leave any answers in the comments below. If you have a question of your own, send...

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