by David Assmann
S.F. Recycling Program

Helping to preserve the environment and saving money are not mutually exclusive. In fact, some of the best things you can do for the environment can also bring you substantial savings. The San Francisco Recycling Program has determined, for example, that a family of four can save more than $3,000 a year by buying reusable and durable products and buying products in large sizes.

When you buy groceries, you are actually paying more for the packaging than farmers are paid to produce the food in the packaging. But by buying large sizes you will buy less packaging. Because packaging accounts for one-third of household waste, choosing larger sizes reduces the amount of waste ending up in our landfill. And since 10 cents out of every shopping dollar is used to pay for packaging, buying the largest size you can will save you money. For a family of four the savings add up quickly. Here are some examples:

*Save $118 a year ($2.28 a week) by buying cereal in a large box instead of in individual snack packs. You also produce 50 percent less waste.

*Save $175 a year ($3.37 a week) by buying apple juice in gallon sizes instead of in single serve sizes.

*Save $95 a year ($1.82 a week) by buying bottled water in  a large plastic jug instead of in 6-packs of 16 oz. bottles. You also produce 80 percent less waste.

A San Francisco price comparison study of 56 commonly purchased grocery items shows that shoppers can save 40 percent by buying products in larger packages. The study included commonly purchased items such as milk, cheese, juice, yogurt, detergent, rice, sugar, meat, shampoo, cookies, soup and canned vegetables. The basket of 56 products purchased in small or single serve sizes cost $137.88, whereas the same items, purchased in economy or larger sizes, cost $82.29.

The most dramatic differences were found in sugar and popcorn, which were 82 percent cheaper in the larger sizes; coffee, which was 80 percent less expensive, and rice, which was 72 percent less expensive. Not all of the items were perishable items. For example, buying cotton swabs in bulk saves consumers 71 percent, and shampoo is 40 percent less expensive in larger bottles.

We've been conditioned to believe that products need packaging. But that isn't applicable to many products. For example, many hardware store items, such as screws, nails, screwdrivers, hammers and extension cords, can easily be sold in bulk bins or hung from hooks. In cases where you have a choice between buying items in bulk or in wasteful, non-recyclable blister packs or plastic cylinders, choosing the bulk item is usually cheaper and creates far less waste.

Many food items have their own natural packaging. Bananas, for example, don't need to go into a plastic bag. In fact, most produce items do not need the extra packaging you find in many supermarkets. Instead of buying carrots or tomatoes shrink-wrapped in plastic, put these items in your cart without any packaging at all. If a product doesn't need packaging, tell your store manager you would prefer it in a bulk bin.

There are other options for no packaging that may not be readily apparent. For example, do you really need your dry cleaning wrapped in a plastic bag that will be thrown away as soon as you get home? And remember, getting ice cream in a cone instead of a cup allows you to eat the package.

Another way to save money and help the environment is to buy products that can be reused over and over again. By buying durable and reusable products, you reduce the number of products that have to be manufactured and help preserve the environment. Here are a few good choices:

*Use rechargeable batteries in toys, flashlights and radios. You can save $200 a year by using rechargeable batteries instead of disposables in one cassette player alone (based on two hours listening/day).

*Use cloth diapers instead of disposable diapers. You'll save $600 per child by using a diaper laundry service instead of disposable diapers.

*Use a real camera instead of a disposable one. You'll save $144 a year (based on 24 pictures/month).

There are numerous other reusable products, including sponges and dish cloths; cloth napkins and towels, refillable pens, pencils and lighters, washable plates, cups and silverware, and electric razors or razors with replaceable blades. For more information on waste prevention and reuse, including how to get a free copy of our Environmental Shopping Guide, call the San Francisco Recycling Program hotline at 554-RECYcle.

Consumers Can Save Money
And Help the Environment at the Same Time

The third annual Shop Smart campaign will kick off in January with a focus on how consumers can save money by purchasing reusable products and products with less packaging. "Save Money and the Environment Too" is the theme for this year's campaign, the largest environmental campaign in the Bay Area. One hundred and ten cities and counties are partnering with 400 supermarkets, the California Integrated Waste Management Board, and Pacific Bell Directory to bring shoppers the message about how they can help the environment while shopping.

"A family of four can save $3,000 a year simply by buying products in the largest size they can use and by buying reusable items," said David Assmann, public outreach coordinator for the San Francisco Recycling Program. "For example, buying cereal in a large box instead of individual snack packs can save an average family $118 a year while producing 50 percent less waste. Buying apple juice in gallon sizes instead of single serving sizes will save families $175 a year. You can save $200 a year by using rechargeable batteries instead of disposable batteries in a cassette recorder used just two hours a day."

Campaign messages will appear on more than six million shopping bags during the campaign, which runs from Jan. 12 through Feb. 7. Consumers can get information about this nationally award-winning consumer education program by calling the San Francisco Recycling Hotline at (415) 554-RECYcle.

Got a Green Thumb?

Sign up to be a Community Composter or Green Gardener in an innovative program that includes free workshops and community outreach along with job training opportunities in urban composting and gardening. Call 285-SLUG for more information.

Meeting with Supervisor Will Share Ideas

Neighbors are encouraged to come and share their ideas and concerns with Supervisor Leslie Katz on Saturday. Jan. 10 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Andora Inn, 2434 Mission St. between 20th and 21st Streets.

S.F. SPCA Events in February

Volunteer Orientations
Help the animals by volunteering for one of the many important jobs available at the San Francisco SPCA. Volunteers are needed on an ongoing basis as cat socializers, dog walkers and adoption counselors, among others.

Volunteer orientations are held Tuesdays, Feb. 10 and 24 from 5-7 p.m., and Saturday, Feb. 7 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. All orientations are held at the S.F. SPCA Education Center at 243 Alabama St. (around the corner from the main entrance at 2500 16th St.). For more information, call 554-3000.

Pet Loss Support Group
On Tuesday, Feb. 3, Dr. Betty Carmack will lead a free pet loss support group for grieving pet owners from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at 243 Alabama St. Call 554-3050 for more information.

Protect-a-Pet Vaccination
A Protect-a-Pet Vaccination Clinic will be held at S.F. SPCA during the month of February where pets of limited income people will be treated for $2. Call 554-3030 for an appointment.

Meditation Workshop at Yoga Institute

A practical workshop enabling students to begin earnest meditation on their own will be held Tuesday, Jan. 20, 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Integral Yoga Institute, 770 Dolores St. Taught by Jason Heyman, the workshop will present a clear understanding of what meditation is, how it works, and how to make it an enjoyable daily experience. Donation is $7 Call 821-1117 for more information.

What Americans Think About Nutrition and Food

Two new nationally representative surveys on consumer trends provide a window into American' nutritional beliefs. The American Dietetic Association's (ADA) Nutrition Trends Survey 1997 and the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and Prevention Magazine's Shopping for Health 1997, found consumers said they understand the critical link between nutrition and good health. That is the good news. The not-so-good-news" Almost two-thirds (61 percent) said they are not doing all they can to eat healthfully.

According to Bettye Nowlin, R.D., nutrition education specialist and spokesperson for ADA, "Fortunately the reported obstacles to good nutrition can be conquered with a few practical changes that fit individual lifestyles, tastes and preferences."
Diet concerns continue to center primarily on one nutrient: Fat. According to Shopping for Health, 81 percent of shoppers expressed concern about the fat in their diet. Yet nearly one-third (32 percent) are not sure how to lower their dietary fat.
Consumers also expressed confusion and frustration about the nutrition information they receive. Shopping for Health reports that nearly three-quarters of shoppers (74 percent) think there is too much conflicting information about food and health.

Other survey findings:

*Most Americans believe in "good" and "bad" foods.

*Consumers are confused about what constitutes a healthful diet.

*Nearly three-in-four (71 percent) said they watch their portion sizes, while less than half (48 percent) pay attention to calories consumed.

Nutrition Trends  and Shopping for Health have reported consumer nutrition trends since 1991. Nutrition Trends is conducted and reported every other year, and Shopping for Health is an annual survey.

-International Fool Information Council

International Forum Focuses on Food Safety and E. coli

Contributing to the ongoing efforts toward a safer food supply from farm-to-table, the Georgetown Center for Food and Nutrition Policy convened a two-day conference, Protecting the Public Against Food-Borne Pathogens: E. coli, recently in Washington, D.C. The conference was co-sponsored by the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges and brought together nearly 150 professionals from government, academia, industry and consumer groups.

Catherine E. Woteki, Ph.D., R.D., Under Secretary for Food Safety, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), in the keynote address underscored USDA's commitment to the National Food Safety Initiative and its collaboration with other government agencies.

The conference reviewed the dynamics of recent E. coli outbreaks, an examination of the organism and potential explanations for its seemingly "overnight" emergence.

One panel discussed communicating food safety to consumers and promoting food safety education in primary and secondary schools.

"In addition to government and industry food safety controls, we must weave food safety education into K-12 curricula," noted David Schmidt, the International Food Information Council's vice president, food safety, and consumer education conference panelist. "Current nutrition resources, like the Food Guide Pyramid and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, should be used to teach food safety basics as well as good nutrition."

Control methods discussed included sanitation, new technologies for determining E. coli presences well as food irradiation and its potential for ensuring safe food for consumers.

"Food irradiation is one complementary preventive strategy in the overall HACCP (hazard analysis critical control points) process," noted Joseph Borsa, Ph.D.,MDS Nordion, Kanata, Ontario, Canada. "But, food irradiation does not replace safe food processing, handling and preparation measures."

-International Food Information Council

Five Years Ago in the Grapevine

JANUARY 1993

*After more than 35 years of service to the neighborhood, Boulevard Cleaners announced it would close in March.

*Titled A Time for Giving, Visitacion Valley Elementary School hosted its Winter Festival on Dec. 17.

*Wilson High School began planning an alumni baseball game to feature past players and coaches.

Historic Proportions

Match clues to answers.

1974

1. On Apr. 8 he's baseball's home run champ.
2. On Mar. 10, this now costs a dime.
3. A college fad for the unclothed.
4. He resigns his office on Aug. 9.
5. These start appearing in stores.
6. Consumers begin getting this pumped.
7. Best Picture at the Academy Awards on Apr. 2.
8. Again the World Series champs.
9. Kidnapping on Feb. 5 shocks nation.
10. On Sept. 13, he becomes Rockford.
11. This had a Portland Storm and Shreveport Steamer.
12. They win the Super Bowl on Jan. 13.
13. He becomes vice-president on Dec. 19.
14. No more dictatorship here after Apr. 25.
15. They get United Nations recognition on Oct. 14.
16. On Jan. 15, viewers are first exposed to the Fonz.
17. People start waiting in these.
18. Champs of the NBA.

A. The Sting
B. Nelson Rockefeller
C. Postage stamp
D. Hank Aaron
E. Streaking
F. Miami Dolphins
G. World Football League
H. Oakland Athletics
I. James Garner
J. Unleaded gasoline
K. Boston Celtics
L. Happy Days
M. Frozen pizzas
N. Lines at gas stations
O. Patricia Hearst
P. Palestine Liberation Organization
Q. Richard Nixon
R. Portugal

Answers: 1-D, 2-C, 3-E, 4-Q, 5-M, 6-J, 7-A, 8-H, 9-O, 10-I, 11-G, 12-F, 13-B, 14-R, 15-P, 16-L, 17-N, 18-K.

Sez Who?

Match quotes to speakers.

1. "When angry, count four, when very angry, swear."
2. "I never vote for anyone. I always vote against."
3. "Music is spirited. The music business is not."
4. "Anger is a brief lunacy."
5. "Man is a creature who lives not upon bread alone, but principally by catch words."
6. "Do not the most moving moments of our lives find us all without words?"
7. "I believe entertainment can aspire to be art, and can become art, but if you set out to make art you're an idiot."
8. "One-fifth of the people are against everything all the time."
9. "My way of joking is to tell the truth. It's the funniest joke in the world."

A. Robert Louis Stevenson
B. George Bernard Shaw
C. Steve Martin
D. Van Morrison
E. Mark Twain
F. Robert Kennedy
G. W.C. Fields
H. Homer
I. Marcel Marceau

Answers: 1-E, 2-G, 3-D, 4-H, 5-A, 6-I, 7-C, 8-F, 9-B.