Green Resources

C.A.R.'s Green Tips - are part of the Association's effort to raise member awareness about environmentally sound practices and offer REALTORS® ideas for greening their business practices and better serving their green-minded consumers.  For more green real-estate-related tips and discussion, visit C.A.R.'s green blog:  http://www.car.org/blogs/index.php

Tip #1 - RECYCLED PAINTS MAKE A SPLASH - What happens to all the latex paint that is dropped off at hazardous waste centers?  It's recycled and is being resold at your local paint distributors, Dunn-Edwards and Kelly-Moore, for example.  Recycled paint may sell for less, but the quality and viscosity are qugmented by blending with virgin materials.  For more information and complete list of recycled paint distributors, visit http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/ConDemo/Paint/

Tip #2 - GO AHEAD, HAVE YOUR CAR WASHED - Statistics show that paying for your next commercial car wash could be much more water-efficient than doing it yourself with the garden hose.  A typical commercial car wash uses 100 gallons less water per car than a home wash, and, in may cases, professional car wash facilities also reuse and recycle the rinse water.

Tip #3 - SMALL DRIPS ADD UP TO BIG LOSSES - A small drip, even five drips per minute, from a leaky home or office faucet can waste more than 250 gallons of water annually and boost water bills.  The American Water Works Association's Water Wiser Drip Calculator can help you calculate your home's or office's water loss.  For information, please visit http://www.awwa.org/awwa/waterwiser/dripcalc.cfm

Tip #4 - EcoENVELOPES SEND A STATEMENT - Want to tell your green clients that you care, increase response rates on direct mail pieces, and save money?  EcoEnvelopes allow you to send statements to clients in a reusable double-perforated eco-friendly envelope and forego the need to include a reply envelope.  It sounds a bit like origami, but it's easier:  Outgoing mail's presorted bulk mail imprint appears through the envelope's transparent window; recipients simply place payments and response back in same envelope, pull down the double-perforated flap, seal it, and send.  The U.S. Postal Service approved the envelopes for use in February and users report savings from no longer needing to send courtesy reply envelopes:  To learn more visit http://www.ecoenvelopes.com/