Our Company Policies...
Our main policy is also our primary focus: to provide you with
exceptional customer service while greatly reducing your role in
the process and the time it takes to get you a medical license.
We stress honesty, objectivity, integrity, quality and competency. Our
professionalism and dedication come from years of experience in the
business of medical licensing, client relations and having a "can do" attitude.
It's about relationship building whether it's you and us or the boards. Our
licensing consultants are persistent and thorough people skilled at
administrating medical license applications and time management. They have
excellent relations with state medical board personnel and like what they do.
Medical licensing services are unique from other services because you work
with us for months at a time. So pick a company that has a staff you don't
mind spending some time with.
We have state medical board applications on file in PDF format ready for
professional completion; a system that allows us to produce applications and
third party verification forms almost instantly while retaining your personal
information in a safe and secure environment; and a state medical board
knowledge base that is extensive and updated frequently.
Our client base consists of individual practitioners, hospitals, groups,
recruiters and other corporate entities. We're known for our first-class
service, getting fast results, competitive pricing and high-quality work.
We take care of the paperwork and follow up so you can take care of your
practice.
Error Free Guarantee
We're so confident you'll be satisfied that we'll give you a complete refund of
our service fee if you're denied a medical license due to an error we made on
your application. Our success is based on your referrals.
Refunds/Cancellation of Service
We know plans and job offers change. If you need to cancel our service
before we've sent your medical license application to you, but we've already
started working on it, we'll refund our service fee minus a 20% processing fee.
Cancel after we've sent your medical license application to you, but prior to
third party verification requests being sent, we'll refund 50% of our service
fee.
There are no refunds once the verification request process begins or if it's
been more than 90 days since the start date unless you're denied a license
because of an error made on your application by us. The start date is the
date you initially paid for services.
We reserve the right to cancel our service agreement for reasons such as
but not limited to; inactivity on your part for a period of not less than 90 days,
or if you have not complied with disclosure requirements. Refunds will be
applied according to the policy above.
Files placed on Hold
If your file is placed on hold, because you've been unavailable and we've
been unable to contact you for a period of not less than 45 days, or you've
not sent your completed application to the board within 45 days of receiving it
from us, we reserve the right to charge our current hourly rate to re-activate
your file and redo any stale documents.
Additional Service Fees
Even though we offer a one-time service fee, occasionally there are times
when major delays are caused by the client, 3rd-party verifiers or medical
boards. This can significantly increase the usual and customary time to
complete a medical license application. When these situations arise, we may
charge additional fees to compensate the extra time needed for completion.
Privacy Guaranteed
We understand that your privacy is important to you. Ir's important to us too.
Your information will remain confidential and safe. We appreciate your
patronage and look forward to maintaining your trust every time we do
business together. Plus, it's the right thing to do.
Time
We also understand the value of time and realize that you're probably in a
hurry for your license. We make every effort to ensure that your application
and verifications are processed as quickly as possible. We follow up with
third party verifiers and medical boards on a weekly basis - daily when
necessary.
Keep in mind that since we do not issue your medical license time estimates
are just that, estimates. We do not guarantee when you will be issued a
license.
Giving Back
We believe one person can make a difference in the world. Imagine what we
can accomplish as a group. Medical License Direct donates a portion of its
annual earnings to various charitable organizations.
Reduce/Reuse/Recycle
We try our best to leave a small footprint where we've been. We purchase
recycled products whenever possible and recycle what we use.
Policies are subject to change without notice.
Our main policy is also our primary focus: to provide you with
exceptional customer service while greatly reducing your role in
the process and the time it takes to get you a medical license.
We stress honesty, objectivity, integrity, quality and competency. Our
professionalism and dedication come from years of experience in the
business of medical licensing, client relations and having a "can do" attitude.
It's about relationship building whether it's you and us or the boards. Our
licensing consultants are persistent and thorough people skilled at
administrating medical license applications and time management. They have
excellent relations with state medical board personnel and like what they do.
Medical licensing services are unique from other services because you work
with us for months at a time. So pick a company that has a staff you don't
mind spending some time with.
We have state medical board applications on file in PDF format ready for
professional completion; a system that allows us to produce applications and
third party verification forms almost instantly while retaining your personal
information in a safe and secure environment; and a state medical board
knowledge base that is extensive and updated frequently.
Our client base consists of individual practitioners, hospitals, groups,
recruiters and other corporate entities. We're known for our first-class
service, getting fast results, competitive pricing and high-quality work.
We take care of the paperwork and follow up so you can take care of your
practice.
Error Free Guarantee
We're so confident you'll be satisfied that we'll give you a complete refund of
our service fee if you're denied a medical license due to an error we made on
your application. Our success is based on your referrals.
Refunds/Cancellation of Service
We know plans and job offers change. If you need to cancel our service
before we've sent your medical license application to you, but we've already
started working on it, we'll refund our service fee minus a 20% processing fee.
Cancel after we've sent your medical license application to you, but prior to
third party verification requests being sent, we'll refund 50% of our service
fee.
There are no refunds once the verification request process begins or if it's
been more than 90 days since the start date unless you're denied a license
because of an error made on your application by us. The start date is the
date you initially paid for services.
We reserve the right to cancel our service agreement for reasons such as
but not limited to; inactivity on your part for a period of not less than 90 days,
or if you have not complied with disclosure requirements. Refunds will be
applied according to the policy above.
Files placed on Hold
If your file is placed on hold, because you've been unavailable and we've
been unable to contact you for a period of not less than 45 days, or you've
not sent your completed application to the board within 45 days of receiving it
from us, we reserve the right to charge our current hourly rate to re-activate
your file and redo any stale documents.
Additional Service Fees
Even though we offer a one-time service fee, occasionally there are times
when major delays are caused by the client, 3rd-party verifiers or medical
boards. This can significantly increase the usual and customary time to
complete a medical license application. When these situations arise, we may
charge additional fees to compensate the extra time needed for completion.
Privacy Guaranteed
We understand that your privacy is important to you. Ir's important to us too.
Your information will remain confidential and safe. We appreciate your
patronage and look forward to maintaining your trust every time we do
business together. Plus, it's the right thing to do.
Time
We also understand the value of time and realize that you're probably in a
hurry for your license. We make every effort to ensure that your application
and verifications are processed as quickly as possible. We follow up with
third party verifiers and medical boards on a weekly basis - daily when
necessary.
Keep in mind that since we do not issue your medical license time estimates
are just that, estimates. We do not guarantee when you will be issued a
license.
Giving Back
We believe one person can make a difference in the world. Imagine what we
can accomplish as a group. Medical License Direct donates a portion of its
annual earnings to various charitable organizations.
Reduce/Reuse/Recycle
We try our best to leave a small footprint where we've been. We purchase
recycled products whenever possible and recycle what we use.
Policies are subject to change without notice.
| All Content and Intellectual Property is under Copyright Protection | Medical License Direct © 2017 Updated January 2018. Content subject to change. |
Medical License Direct
Solution for your medical license needs.
Thought to Ponder...
| PHONE: 850-471-8648 ~ FAX: 904-339-9671 Medical License Direct, LLC ~ Info@medicallicensedirect.com |
We Accept
checks and money orders
“Imagination is more important than knowledge.” — Albert Einstein |
Suggestions for a healthier and more
sustainable lifestyle provided by
Take what you like and leave the rest.
Insulate your hot water system and use efficient water-heating
practices
Water heating is the third largest energy expense in your home. It typically
accounts for about 13% of your utility bill. There are four ways to cut your
water heating bills: use less hot water, turn down the thermostat on your water
heater, insulate your water heater, or buy a new, more efficient water heater.
Find out more at http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/water_heating.
html
Go organic
As the cost of fossil fuels continues to rise, making traditional fertilizers
expensive for many of the world's farmers, it becomes increasingly important
to eat organic food for our own health as well as that of the planet. It is not
impossible to buy organic on a budget! Here are some money-saving tips that
will make it easy for you to get the best food you can buy. Find out more at
http://www.organic.org/
Community-supported agriculture
Many farms offer produce subscriptions, where buyers receive a weekly or
monthly basket of produce, flowers, fruits, eggs, milk, meats, or any sort of
different farm products. A CSA (for Community Supported Agriculture) is a
way for the food buying public to create a relationship with a farm and to
receive a weekly basket of produce. By making a financial commitment to a
farm, people become "members" of the CSA. A CSA season typically runs
from late spring through early fall. The number of CSAs in the United States
was estimated at 50 in 1990, and has since grown to over 2000. Find out
more at http://www.localharvest.org/csa/
Sustainable shaving
If you're still using disposable razors or chemical shaving creams, please be
aware that there now good alternatives for all shaving needs! The Preserve
Triple Razor (http://www.recycline.com/triplerazor.html) is made from recycled
and recyclable materials, and products like JÄSÖN All Natural Shaving Lotion
Beard & Skin Therapy (http://www.jason-natural.com/products/mens.php)
provide a good mix of function and ecological sensibility. The more
adventurous can try the Gyroscopic Shaver (http://www.global-merchants.
com/home/shaver.htm) or help to revive the lost art of traditional wet shaving
(http://zenhabits.net/2007/12/the-zen-of-shaving-how-a-double-edge-razor-
can-change-your-life/). Find out more at
http://www.grist.org/advice/ask/2005/06/06/umbra-shaving/
Zero-waste lunches
If you want to give your kids a healthy lunch, brown-bagging it is the way to go
- but skip the brown bag, along with those "snack size" and single-serving
containers. According to WasteFreeLunches.org, all those juice boxes and
cracker packages mean an average of 67 pounds of waste generated by one
child each school year, and hundreds of dollars wasted on "convenience"
foods. Find out more at http://www.newdream.org/marketplace/lunch.php
Plant a tree
Trees provide not only environmental protection, but also significant income
and livelihood options globally for more than one billion forest-dependent
people, providing a wide range of products (timber, fruit, medicine,
beverages, fodder) and services (carbon sequestration, shade, beautification,
erosion control, soil fertility). Without trees human life would be unsustainable.
Forests also play an important cultural, spiritual and recreational role in many
societies, and offer recreational opportunites and spiritual solace in modern
societies. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has launched
a major worldwide tree planting campaign, with a new goal of planting 7 billion
trees by the end of 2009. Find out more at http://www.unep.
org/BILLIONTREECAMPAIGN/
Ask your utility company how you can buy clean, renewable power
Innovative programs around the country now make it possible for all
environmentally conscious energy consumers to support renewable energy
directly by participating in the "green" power market. You can also help to
support emerging "power cooperatives" in your area. Find out more at http:
//www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/renewable_energy_basics/buy-green-power.
html
Pack an emergency supplies kit
To reduce demand on community response teams during a local emergency,
store a kit with first aid, warm clothes, flashlights, and enough non-perishable
food and water to sustain your family for 72 hours. Make sure that your kit is
easy for your whole family to access, and small enough to load into your car if
necessary. Find out more at http://www.ready.gov/america
Weatherize your home
Save on heating and cooling costs all year round by caulking and weather-
stripping doorways and windows. Find out more at http://www.doityourself.
com/stry/h2weatherize
Reuse bubble mailers
Bubble mailers, which are popular for shipping small items due to their light
weight and durability, are not recyclable in most neighborhood recycling
programs. Rather than throwing bubble mailers that you receive into the trash
or recycling bin, save them for sending your own packages, or cut them apart
to use as padding around your home or when shipping larger items. (Thanks
to Angela Carley for inspiring this Action.)
Demand action from your elected officials on environmental and
energy issues
Productive dialogue begins by asking tough questions and requiring straight
answers. Join the thousands of American consumers who have already sent
letters and emails to elected officials asking about our nation's energy and
climate policy. Find out more at https://www.ourenergy.coop/
Donate used computers to school and other organization in need
locally or internationally
Keep computers out of landfills, and give Internet skills and opportunities to
youth in disadvantaged areas and developing countries. Find out more at http:
//www.worldcomputerexchange.org/
Volunteer at community organizations
One of our most important resources is the health and well-being of our
communities. In order to be strong, a community must be constantly evolving,
increasingly active, and evermore diverse. Volunteering is a great way to find
out what's happening in your community and build enriching relationships.
Find out more at http://www.volunteermatch.org/
Take a moment to stop and breathe!
Find out more at http://www.ehow.com/how_2163290_understand-benefits-
proper-breathing.html
More air
Instead of driving all over town looking for cheaper gas, consider this: A little
more air in the right places can save you a lot of gas--and money. This is
what I mean: More air in your tires, and a clean air filter. And this money-
saving tip won't take you even 15 minutes a month. Find out more at http:
//finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/104865/The-15-Minute-Tip-Err-on-
the-Side-of-More-Air
Compost
Compost is one of nature's best mulches and soil amendments, and you can
use it instead of expensive, petroleum-based commercial fertilizers.
Understanding how to make and use compost is in the public interest, as the
problem of waste disposal climbs toward a crisis level. Don't throw away
materials when you can use them to improve your lawn and garden! Start
composting instead. Find out more at http://www.compostguide.com/
Dry clean green
Scope out your local area for organic dry cleaners. Today's technologies
include state-of-the-art "wet cleaning" with water, as well as a process that
uses liquid carbon dioxide as a kind of soap. Conventional dry cleaning isn't
even slightly green, as it generally uses perchloroethylene, a central nervous
system depressant and hazardous air pollutant. Find out more at http://www.
coopamerica.org/pubs/realmoney/articles/drycleaning.cfm
Use a clothesline
A clothesline is a terrific contribution to energy savings, since the average
electric dryer consumes $125 of power and emits 2000 pounds of CO2 per
year. Besides, why pay for heat and wind in a box when we can get it free just
outside the door? You'll be startled how fast your items dry; on sunny windy
days the first bits of laundry may be dry by the time you get the last items on
the line - long before they would have been finished in the dryer. Sheets are
especially quick-drying, with a lovely crisp texture! Find out more at http://www.
energyefficienthomearticles.com/Article/energy-efficient-homes---energy-
savings----The-Return-Of-The-Clothes-Line-/2475
Bank locally
Catherine Austin Fitts says that as more and more people shift their money to
building new wealth at financially intimate local and network levels, everyone
benefits everywhere. The fastest way to kick-start the shift is to stop financing
the big banks—and through them, the activities they are financing—and to
switch your bank deposits to a well-managed community bank or credit union
instead. In fact, it's the single greatest point of leverage you have as a
consumer. Find out more at http://www.solari.com/banks/
Microcredit
2006 Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus is credited with the first
successful application of a financial innovation called microcredit. Microcredit
is the extension of very small loans (microloans) to the unemployed, to poor
entrepreneurs, and to others living in poverty who are not considered
bankable. It originated in Bangladesh, where it has successfully enabled
extremely impoverished people to engage in self-employment projects that
allow them to generate an income and, in many cases, begin to build wealth
and exit poverty. Find out more from organizations like Green Children
Foundation (http://www.thegreenchildren.org/tgcf/), Grameen Bank (http://www.
grameen-info.org/), and Kiva (http://www.kiva.org)
Support FSC-certified products
The Forest Stewardship Council is an international organization that brings
people together to find solutions which promote responsible stewardship of
the world's forests. FSC-certified products, such as paper, only use wood
from accredited forests. You can think of the policy as "cut a tree, plant a
tree," an energy-efficient adjunct or alternative to recycling. Find out more at
http://www.fsc.org/
Collect extra fruit from fruit trees and donate the fruit to a local food
pantry
This is a model from Petaluma, California that members can initiate in their
own cities. The concept is called 'gleaning.' Gleaners ask
farmers/growers/neighbors for access to produce they're not using, go in, pick
the produce, and distribute it to a shelter or food pantry. Find out more at
http://www.petalumabounty.org
Participate in a community garden
Participating in a community garden is a great way to get outside, meet your
neighbors, learn about gardening, and support food production that is
minimally dependent on petroleum. The American Community Gardening
Association has a database of community gardens, so you can find out if
there is one in your area! Find out more at http://www.communitygarden.org/
Save water
"Squirt the soap into your hands. 'Wash' them with just the soap as you sing
'Happy Birthday' (they say that's the best duration for effective cleaning).
Then, and only then, turn on the water and quickly rinse your hands." Find
out more at http://www.wateruseitwisely.com/ and http://www.monolake.
org/waterconservation/ (Thanks to Faith K. of McKinney, Texas for this Action.)
Park the car for at least one week a month
"I park my car for at least one week a month (usually closer to four weeks a
month), and get to work on my bicycle (25 miles round trip) or by public
transport. I also save on gym membership, defer the inevitable healthcare
payments until much later in life, save money that would have otherwise gone
to a petroleum company, and do my bit to negate one of the more prominent
reasons for warfare in today's world. Not everyone has been blessed by good
health, but even those who are not sufficiently mobile or fit can start to
achieve similar results by parking the car for one day a week and working
from home, car pooling, etc. The details are not important; what is important is
to take a step towards eliminating dependency on the automobile." (Thanks to
Don Child of Honolulu, Hawaii for this Action.)
Adjust your thermostat
Adjust your thermostat. Turning it down 2 degrees in the winter and up 2
degrees in the summer will save an estimated 2000 lbs of carbon dioxide and
$98 per year. Find out more at http://www.fypower.org/res/tools/energy_tips.
html
Buy locally
By buying locally, you can say 'no' to destructive agribusiness, and
strengthen your community by investing your food dollars close to home.
When you buy at a large supermarket, only 18 cents of every dollar go to the
grower, while 82 cents go to various middlemen. Support the growers by
shopping at your local farmers market. Find out more at http://www.
sustainabletable.org/issues/buylocal/
• Index of farmers markets in the USA - http://farmersmarket.com/
Buy minimally-packaged food
Food packaging creates an ecological footprint at both the production and
consumption ends of the chain. Packaging costs energy to produce and to
recycle, and can comprise up to 1/3 of the cost of commercial foodstuffs. Bulk
food is ideal in this respect, and there are a number of advantages to buying
in bulk:
• some items are available only in bulk
• you can choose the quantity
• bulk prices are usually less than packaged prices
• less packaging
• less additives and preservatives when you make your own meals and mixes
• more variety
• often healthy alternatives not always otherwise available
When you buy in bulk it's a good idea to get your cupboards in order. There
are a number of ways you can store bulk items:
• recycled plastic containers and glass jars
• Rubbermaid or Ziploc containers
• resealable bags
• for some items (e.g. oatmeal) you can re-use the original container
A key to bulk storage is labeling. Make sure all containers are air-tight and
clearly labeled and dated. Bulk items have a long shelf life because they have
been prepared with long-term storage in mind. Find out more at http://www.
articler.com/78089/Save-13-Or-More-On-Your-Grocery-Bill.html
Stop junk mail
It's good to recycle your junk mail. It's even better to stop getting it! Reducing
junk mail gets clutter out of your mailbox, frees up your time, and helps
protect the environment. It takes 17 trees to make a ton of paper. That means
nearly 100 million trees get used for junk mail every year in the U.S. Let's
keep the trees in the forest, and get the junk mail out of your life! There are
many guides and organizations that can help you reduce junk mail; here are
just a few.
• http://environment.about.com/od/greenlivingdesign/a/junkmail.htm
• http://www.newdream.org/junkmail/form.php
• http://www.41pounds.org/
Lights out at night
Many of us like to wind down at night with music or a night-light. But, although
you may fall asleep, your electronics never do! Over time, those many small
power draws add up to big energy use and expense. Additionally, there may
be health benefits to spending your sleeping hours in an EM-free
environment. Make a point to turn off all of your lights and appliances, and
turn off your computer rather leaving the screensaver on. You can explore
innovative options like this solar-powered sun jar (http://www.thinkgeek.
com/homeoffice/lights/994a/) and USB-charged capsule speaker
(http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/speakers/9e68/) to give you modern
comforts while flexing your power, or simply use a tealight candle for a night-
light.
Walk, bike, or carpool to work
A cyclist can travel about three miles on the energy of one egg. A car that
gets 12.5 miles per gallon requires the equivalent of seven dozen eggs to
carry one person three miles. Even if you double the miles per gallon and
double the occupancy, a car will still use the equivalent of twenty-one eggs to
make the trip--more than twenty times that of a bicycle. Bicycling is good
exercise, too! Find out more at http://www.ibike.org/encouragement/benefits.
htm
Carpooling is a flexible, convenient and less-expensive way to reach your
destination. Additionally, carpooling helps reduce vehicle emissions to help
keep our air cleaner. All you need is one or two other people to make it work.
Many areas now offer a ride-match service to instantly link up people who live
and work nearby to share commutes. Find out more at http://www.
commuterpage.com/tentips.htm
Energy-efficient appliances
With energy costs increasing, it pays to keep abreast of the latest
developments in energy-efficient appliances for the home and office. The
government-backed Energy Star is already a familiar sight in stores. But this
winter, one exciting new find has been Econo-Heat, a safe and versatile panel
heating unit that runs on wall current (400W 120V) for about $0.03 per hour!
Find out more at http://eheat.com/
Energy audit
With an energy audit, you can identify the best ways to save energy in your
home or business! Tools like Lawrence Berkeley Labs' Home Energy Saver
provide a list of recommendations--ranked by payback time--tailored to the
particular home being evaluated. You can vary the energy efficiency
assumptions and retrofit costs, and then recalculate. The results can be
viewed on line or printed as a detailed report which includes retrofit
description and other details, along with links to additional information. Find
out more at http://hes.lbl.gov/
Carbon offsets
"A carbon offset, in simple terms, is a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions
elsewhere to cancel out emissions arising from a particular activity. Now you
can go online and buy offsets for carbon emissions from your car, home
energy use, and air travel. A number of programs exist to help you fund
specific emissions curbing projects." Find out more at http://www.carbonfund.
org and http://www.newdream.org/consumer/carbon.php (Thanks to Tiffany
Mitchell and Stephen Dinan for this Action.)
Treecycling
In a national survey, 93 percent of consumers who used a real Christmas tree
recycled theirs in some type of community program. Chances are there's one
in your area! Christmas trees are recycled for five main types of large-scale
uses for post-harvest trees: 1. Chipping (chippings are used for various
things from mulch to hiking trails); 2. Beachfront erosion prevention; 3. Lake
and river shoreline stabilization; 4. Fish habitat; 5. River delta sedimentation
management. Find out more at http://earth911.org/green-your-
holidays/treecycling/
Reuse bags & recycle wrapping
Paper or plastic? No - canvas! This holiday season, make the effort to bring a
reusable bag or backpack with you on every trip to the store. Remember that
paper bags can be recycled at the curb, and plastic grocery bags can be
dropped off at locations such as Safeway. And wrap presents this year in
something you already have, instead of buying wrapping paper.
Some related facts from Sierraclub.org:
• Reusing a bag meant for just one use has a big impact. A sturdy, reusable
bag needs only be used 11 times to have a lower environmental impact than
using 11 disposable plastic bags.
• In New York City alone, one less grocery bag per person per year would
reduce waste by 109 tons and save $11,000 in disposal costs.
• Plastic bags carry 80% of the nation's groceries, up from 5% in 1982.
• When 1 ton of paper bags is reused or recycled, 3 cubic meters of landfill
space is saved and 13 - 17 trees are spared! In 1997, 955,000 tons of paper
bags were used in the United States.
• When 1 ton of plastic bags is reused or recycled, the energy equivalent of
11 barrels of oil are saved.
Paper or Plastic?
The energy and other environmental impacts embodied in a plastic grocery
bag is somewhat less than in a paper grocery bag. But paper is easier to
recycle, being accepted in most recycling programs. The recycling rate for
plastic bags is very low. So, which is better for the environment? Neither! The
fact is that the difference between paper and plastic RECYCLING is small
compared with REUSING bags.
Kiva.org
Become a micro-lender at Kiva.org, a great way to connect personally with
developing world entrepreneurs who need small infusions of investment to
build their business. Once repaid, you can loan your money again and track
progress on your projects. Find out more at http://www.kiva.org
sustainable lifestyle provided by
Take what you like and leave the rest.
Insulate your hot water system and use efficient water-heating
practices
Water heating is the third largest energy expense in your home. It typically
accounts for about 13% of your utility bill. There are four ways to cut your
water heating bills: use less hot water, turn down the thermostat on your water
heater, insulate your water heater, or buy a new, more efficient water heater.
Find out more at http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/water_heating.
html
Go organic
As the cost of fossil fuels continues to rise, making traditional fertilizers
expensive for many of the world's farmers, it becomes increasingly important
to eat organic food for our own health as well as that of the planet. It is not
impossible to buy organic on a budget! Here are some money-saving tips that
will make it easy for you to get the best food you can buy. Find out more at
http://www.organic.org/
Community-supported agriculture
Many farms offer produce subscriptions, where buyers receive a weekly or
monthly basket of produce, flowers, fruits, eggs, milk, meats, or any sort of
different farm products. A CSA (for Community Supported Agriculture) is a
way for the food buying public to create a relationship with a farm and to
receive a weekly basket of produce. By making a financial commitment to a
farm, people become "members" of the CSA. A CSA season typically runs
from late spring through early fall. The number of CSAs in the United States
was estimated at 50 in 1990, and has since grown to over 2000. Find out
more at http://www.localharvest.org/csa/
Sustainable shaving
If you're still using disposable razors or chemical shaving creams, please be
aware that there now good alternatives for all shaving needs! The Preserve
Triple Razor (http://www.recycline.com/triplerazor.html) is made from recycled
and recyclable materials, and products like JÄSÖN All Natural Shaving Lotion
Beard & Skin Therapy (http://www.jason-natural.com/products/mens.php)
provide a good mix of function and ecological sensibility. The more
adventurous can try the Gyroscopic Shaver (http://www.global-merchants.
com/home/shaver.htm) or help to revive the lost art of traditional wet shaving
(http://zenhabits.net/2007/12/the-zen-of-shaving-how-a-double-edge-razor-
can-change-your-life/). Find out more at
http://www.grist.org/advice/ask/2005/06/06/umbra-shaving/
Zero-waste lunches
If you want to give your kids a healthy lunch, brown-bagging it is the way to go
- but skip the brown bag, along with those "snack size" and single-serving
containers. According to WasteFreeLunches.org, all those juice boxes and
cracker packages mean an average of 67 pounds of waste generated by one
child each school year, and hundreds of dollars wasted on "convenience"
foods. Find out more at http://www.newdream.org/marketplace/lunch.php
Plant a tree
Trees provide not only environmental protection, but also significant income
and livelihood options globally for more than one billion forest-dependent
people, providing a wide range of products (timber, fruit, medicine,
beverages, fodder) and services (carbon sequestration, shade, beautification,
erosion control, soil fertility). Without trees human life would be unsustainable.
Forests also play an important cultural, spiritual and recreational role in many
societies, and offer recreational opportunites and spiritual solace in modern
societies. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has launched
a major worldwide tree planting campaign, with a new goal of planting 7 billion
trees by the end of 2009. Find out more at http://www.unep.
org/BILLIONTREECAMPAIGN/
Ask your utility company how you can buy clean, renewable power
Innovative programs around the country now make it possible for all
environmentally conscious energy consumers to support renewable energy
directly by participating in the "green" power market. You can also help to
support emerging "power cooperatives" in your area. Find out more at http:
//www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/renewable_energy_basics/buy-green-power.
html
Pack an emergency supplies kit
To reduce demand on community response teams during a local emergency,
store a kit with first aid, warm clothes, flashlights, and enough non-perishable
food and water to sustain your family for 72 hours. Make sure that your kit is
easy for your whole family to access, and small enough to load into your car if
necessary. Find out more at http://www.ready.gov/america
Weatherize your home
Save on heating and cooling costs all year round by caulking and weather-
stripping doorways and windows. Find out more at http://www.doityourself.
com/stry/h2weatherize
Reuse bubble mailers
Bubble mailers, which are popular for shipping small items due to their light
weight and durability, are not recyclable in most neighborhood recycling
programs. Rather than throwing bubble mailers that you receive into the trash
or recycling bin, save them for sending your own packages, or cut them apart
to use as padding around your home or when shipping larger items. (Thanks
to Angela Carley for inspiring this Action.)
Demand action from your elected officials on environmental and
energy issues
Productive dialogue begins by asking tough questions and requiring straight
answers. Join the thousands of American consumers who have already sent
letters and emails to elected officials asking about our nation's energy and
climate policy. Find out more at https://www.ourenergy.coop/
Donate used computers to school and other organization in need
locally or internationally
Keep computers out of landfills, and give Internet skills and opportunities to
youth in disadvantaged areas and developing countries. Find out more at http:
//www.worldcomputerexchange.org/
Volunteer at community organizations
One of our most important resources is the health and well-being of our
communities. In order to be strong, a community must be constantly evolving,
increasingly active, and evermore diverse. Volunteering is a great way to find
out what's happening in your community and build enriching relationships.
Find out more at http://www.volunteermatch.org/
Take a moment to stop and breathe!
Find out more at http://www.ehow.com/how_2163290_understand-benefits-
proper-breathing.html
More air
Instead of driving all over town looking for cheaper gas, consider this: A little
more air in the right places can save you a lot of gas--and money. This is
what I mean: More air in your tires, and a clean air filter. And this money-
saving tip won't take you even 15 minutes a month. Find out more at http:
//finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/104865/The-15-Minute-Tip-Err-on-
the-Side-of-More-Air
Compost
Compost is one of nature's best mulches and soil amendments, and you can
use it instead of expensive, petroleum-based commercial fertilizers.
Understanding how to make and use compost is in the public interest, as the
problem of waste disposal climbs toward a crisis level. Don't throw away
materials when you can use them to improve your lawn and garden! Start
composting instead. Find out more at http://www.compostguide.com/
Dry clean green
Scope out your local area for organic dry cleaners. Today's technologies
include state-of-the-art "wet cleaning" with water, as well as a process that
uses liquid carbon dioxide as a kind of soap. Conventional dry cleaning isn't
even slightly green, as it generally uses perchloroethylene, a central nervous
system depressant and hazardous air pollutant. Find out more at http://www.
coopamerica.org/pubs/realmoney/articles/drycleaning.cfm
Use a clothesline
A clothesline is a terrific contribution to energy savings, since the average
electric dryer consumes $125 of power and emits 2000 pounds of CO2 per
year. Besides, why pay for heat and wind in a box when we can get it free just
outside the door? You'll be startled how fast your items dry; on sunny windy
days the first bits of laundry may be dry by the time you get the last items on
the line - long before they would have been finished in the dryer. Sheets are
especially quick-drying, with a lovely crisp texture! Find out more at http://www.
energyefficienthomearticles.com/Article/energy-efficient-homes---energy-
savings----The-Return-Of-The-Clothes-Line-/2475
Bank locally
Catherine Austin Fitts says that as more and more people shift their money to
building new wealth at financially intimate local and network levels, everyone
benefits everywhere. The fastest way to kick-start the shift is to stop financing
the big banks—and through them, the activities they are financing—and to
switch your bank deposits to a well-managed community bank or credit union
instead. In fact, it's the single greatest point of leverage you have as a
consumer. Find out more at http://www.solari.com/banks/
Microcredit
2006 Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus is credited with the first
successful application of a financial innovation called microcredit. Microcredit
is the extension of very small loans (microloans) to the unemployed, to poor
entrepreneurs, and to others living in poverty who are not considered
bankable. It originated in Bangladesh, where it has successfully enabled
extremely impoverished people to engage in self-employment projects that
allow them to generate an income and, in many cases, begin to build wealth
and exit poverty. Find out more from organizations like Green Children
Foundation (http://www.thegreenchildren.org/tgcf/), Grameen Bank (http://www.
grameen-info.org/), and Kiva (http://www.kiva.org)
Support FSC-certified products
The Forest Stewardship Council is an international organization that brings
people together to find solutions which promote responsible stewardship of
the world's forests. FSC-certified products, such as paper, only use wood
from accredited forests. You can think of the policy as "cut a tree, plant a
tree," an energy-efficient adjunct or alternative to recycling. Find out more at
http://www.fsc.org/
Collect extra fruit from fruit trees and donate the fruit to a local food
pantry
This is a model from Petaluma, California that members can initiate in their
own cities. The concept is called 'gleaning.' Gleaners ask
farmers/growers/neighbors for access to produce they're not using, go in, pick
the produce, and distribute it to a shelter or food pantry. Find out more at
http://www.petalumabounty.org
Participate in a community garden
Participating in a community garden is a great way to get outside, meet your
neighbors, learn about gardening, and support food production that is
minimally dependent on petroleum. The American Community Gardening
Association has a database of community gardens, so you can find out if
there is one in your area! Find out more at http://www.communitygarden.org/
Save water
"Squirt the soap into your hands. 'Wash' them with just the soap as you sing
'Happy Birthday' (they say that's the best duration for effective cleaning).
Then, and only then, turn on the water and quickly rinse your hands." Find
out more at http://www.wateruseitwisely.com/ and http://www.monolake.
org/waterconservation/ (Thanks to Faith K. of McKinney, Texas for this Action.)
Park the car for at least one week a month
"I park my car for at least one week a month (usually closer to four weeks a
month), and get to work on my bicycle (25 miles round trip) or by public
transport. I also save on gym membership, defer the inevitable healthcare
payments until much later in life, save money that would have otherwise gone
to a petroleum company, and do my bit to negate one of the more prominent
reasons for warfare in today's world. Not everyone has been blessed by good
health, but even those who are not sufficiently mobile or fit can start to
achieve similar results by parking the car for one day a week and working
from home, car pooling, etc. The details are not important; what is important is
to take a step towards eliminating dependency on the automobile." (Thanks to
Don Child of Honolulu, Hawaii for this Action.)
Adjust your thermostat
Adjust your thermostat. Turning it down 2 degrees in the winter and up 2
degrees in the summer will save an estimated 2000 lbs of carbon dioxide and
$98 per year. Find out more at http://www.fypower.org/res/tools/energy_tips.
html
Buy locally
By buying locally, you can say 'no' to destructive agribusiness, and
strengthen your community by investing your food dollars close to home.
When you buy at a large supermarket, only 18 cents of every dollar go to the
grower, while 82 cents go to various middlemen. Support the growers by
shopping at your local farmers market. Find out more at http://www.
sustainabletable.org/issues/buylocal/
• Index of farmers markets in the USA - http://farmersmarket.com/
Buy minimally-packaged food
Food packaging creates an ecological footprint at both the production and
consumption ends of the chain. Packaging costs energy to produce and to
recycle, and can comprise up to 1/3 of the cost of commercial foodstuffs. Bulk
food is ideal in this respect, and there are a number of advantages to buying
in bulk:
• some items are available only in bulk
• you can choose the quantity
• bulk prices are usually less than packaged prices
• less packaging
• less additives and preservatives when you make your own meals and mixes
• more variety
• often healthy alternatives not always otherwise available
When you buy in bulk it's a good idea to get your cupboards in order. There
are a number of ways you can store bulk items:
• recycled plastic containers and glass jars
• Rubbermaid or Ziploc containers
• resealable bags
• for some items (e.g. oatmeal) you can re-use the original container
A key to bulk storage is labeling. Make sure all containers are air-tight and
clearly labeled and dated. Bulk items have a long shelf life because they have
been prepared with long-term storage in mind. Find out more at http://www.
articler.com/78089/Save-13-Or-More-On-Your-Grocery-Bill.html
Stop junk mail
It's good to recycle your junk mail. It's even better to stop getting it! Reducing
junk mail gets clutter out of your mailbox, frees up your time, and helps
protect the environment. It takes 17 trees to make a ton of paper. That means
nearly 100 million trees get used for junk mail every year in the U.S. Let's
keep the trees in the forest, and get the junk mail out of your life! There are
many guides and organizations that can help you reduce junk mail; here are
just a few.
• http://environment.about.com/od/greenlivingdesign/a/junkmail.htm
• http://www.newdream.org/junkmail/form.php
• http://www.41pounds.org/
Lights out at night
Many of us like to wind down at night with music or a night-light. But, although
you may fall asleep, your electronics never do! Over time, those many small
power draws add up to big energy use and expense. Additionally, there may
be health benefits to spending your sleeping hours in an EM-free
environment. Make a point to turn off all of your lights and appliances, and
turn off your computer rather leaving the screensaver on. You can explore
innovative options like this solar-powered sun jar (http://www.thinkgeek.
com/homeoffice/lights/994a/) and USB-charged capsule speaker
(http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/speakers/9e68/) to give you modern
comforts while flexing your power, or simply use a tealight candle for a night-
light.
Walk, bike, or carpool to work
A cyclist can travel about three miles on the energy of one egg. A car that
gets 12.5 miles per gallon requires the equivalent of seven dozen eggs to
carry one person three miles. Even if you double the miles per gallon and
double the occupancy, a car will still use the equivalent of twenty-one eggs to
make the trip--more than twenty times that of a bicycle. Bicycling is good
exercise, too! Find out more at http://www.ibike.org/encouragement/benefits.
htm
Carpooling is a flexible, convenient and less-expensive way to reach your
destination. Additionally, carpooling helps reduce vehicle emissions to help
keep our air cleaner. All you need is one or two other people to make it work.
Many areas now offer a ride-match service to instantly link up people who live
and work nearby to share commutes. Find out more at http://www.
commuterpage.com/tentips.htm
Energy-efficient appliances
With energy costs increasing, it pays to keep abreast of the latest
developments in energy-efficient appliances for the home and office. The
government-backed Energy Star is already a familiar sight in stores. But this
winter, one exciting new find has been Econo-Heat, a safe and versatile panel
heating unit that runs on wall current (400W 120V) for about $0.03 per hour!
Find out more at http://eheat.com/
Energy audit
With an energy audit, you can identify the best ways to save energy in your
home or business! Tools like Lawrence Berkeley Labs' Home Energy Saver
provide a list of recommendations--ranked by payback time--tailored to the
particular home being evaluated. You can vary the energy efficiency
assumptions and retrofit costs, and then recalculate. The results can be
viewed on line or printed as a detailed report which includes retrofit
description and other details, along with links to additional information. Find
out more at http://hes.lbl.gov/
Carbon offsets
"A carbon offset, in simple terms, is a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions
elsewhere to cancel out emissions arising from a particular activity. Now you
can go online and buy offsets for carbon emissions from your car, home
energy use, and air travel. A number of programs exist to help you fund
specific emissions curbing projects." Find out more at http://www.carbonfund.
org and http://www.newdream.org/consumer/carbon.php (Thanks to Tiffany
Mitchell and Stephen Dinan for this Action.)
Treecycling
In a national survey, 93 percent of consumers who used a real Christmas tree
recycled theirs in some type of community program. Chances are there's one
in your area! Christmas trees are recycled for five main types of large-scale
uses for post-harvest trees: 1. Chipping (chippings are used for various
things from mulch to hiking trails); 2. Beachfront erosion prevention; 3. Lake
and river shoreline stabilization; 4. Fish habitat; 5. River delta sedimentation
management. Find out more at http://earth911.org/green-your-
holidays/treecycling/
Reuse bags & recycle wrapping
Paper or plastic? No - canvas! This holiday season, make the effort to bring a
reusable bag or backpack with you on every trip to the store. Remember that
paper bags can be recycled at the curb, and plastic grocery bags can be
dropped off at locations such as Safeway. And wrap presents this year in
something you already have, instead of buying wrapping paper.
Some related facts from Sierraclub.org:
• Reusing a bag meant for just one use has a big impact. A sturdy, reusable
bag needs only be used 11 times to have a lower environmental impact than
using 11 disposable plastic bags.
• In New York City alone, one less grocery bag per person per year would
reduce waste by 109 tons and save $11,000 in disposal costs.
• Plastic bags carry 80% of the nation's groceries, up from 5% in 1982.
• When 1 ton of paper bags is reused or recycled, 3 cubic meters of landfill
space is saved and 13 - 17 trees are spared! In 1997, 955,000 tons of paper
bags were used in the United States.
• When 1 ton of plastic bags is reused or recycled, the energy equivalent of
11 barrels of oil are saved.
Paper or Plastic?
The energy and other environmental impacts embodied in a plastic grocery
bag is somewhat less than in a paper grocery bag. But paper is easier to
recycle, being accepted in most recycling programs. The recycling rate for
plastic bags is very low. So, which is better for the environment? Neither! The
fact is that the difference between paper and plastic RECYCLING is small
compared with REUSING bags.
Kiva.org
Become a micro-lender at Kiva.org, a great way to connect personally with
developing world entrepreneurs who need small infusions of investment to
build their business. Once repaid, you can loan your money again and track
progress on your projects. Find out more at http://www.kiva.org
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Organic Analytical Toxicology Branch reports that certain plastics can leach a toxin called Bisphenol A (BPA) into your water, which can have a hormone-like effect on the human reproductive system and other negative health effects. |
Never doubt that a
thoughtful, committed
citizen can change the
world. Indeed, it is the
only thing that ever has.
— Margaret Mead
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