Our newsletter is also available on our website in English and French

March 2007

Message to Members

Welcome to our March issue. The days are getting longer, and while spring isn't in the air quite yet, we know it's coming.

We also know that all you gardeners out there are already planning your terrains, and getting ready to start your seedlings indoors. Don't forget to stop by the store to check out our growing selection of organic vegetable and fruit seeds, natural fertilizers and planting information for your natural gardening needs!

This month is also the time to pay homage to our most valuable resource with the celebration of World Water Day, March 22. Check out Members' Corner for some of the water saving tricks you sent us, and links to websites with more great tips.

Speaking of websites, don't forget to check out the brand new www.cooplamaisonverte.com where you can view our photo galleries, get member information and keep up to date on today's top issues with our Eco Logic blog!

Thanks to: Gilles Rondeau - Translation; Johanne Bouthillier - Revision

Homemade Cleaning Kits

Homemade cleaning kits at the Co-op Made out of recycled materials by students of the Jonathon alternative school. Funds from the sales of these kits go towards greening their schoolyard.

Events

New Products

• Sugar cubes from Paraguay and vegan hot chocolate powder from the Dominican Republic, both fair trade and organic of course.
• Biodegradable all-purpose cloths made from wood pulp by Nature's Wizard.
• Reusable Static Eliminator sheets last for years and get rid of static without toxic chemicals and perfumes. Staff tested - they work! Available in packs of two.

Member Specials

Have you been wondering about Hemp Clothing, but haven't tried it yet? Well now's your chance to try pants, t-shirts, zip up jackets and more! New sale items from ABAKA are on the racks, priced from $10 - $49! We are also offering members 20 percent off of our regular ABAKA stock for the month of March.

Members' Corner (continued from above)

A few issues ago we ran an article on reusing our "grey" or already-used water. We asked for your tips and here are some that you shared with us:

"At home I collect water in my shower (with the help of a bucket I leave in the bottom) and I reuse it either by putting it in my toilet tank (when I flush), or in my washing machine. I also use it sometimes to wash my floors.

I also collect rainwater on my balcony to water my plants."
- Julie Ross

"In our home we never use water from the tap to water our garden in the summer. We collect rainwater in its place. We have installed a collection system connected to our eaves troughs with three very big barrels. It's amazing to see how fast they fill up. A hose system allows us to get water all the way to the garden. This way we have more than enough water to water our garden and all our flowers.
The kids asked us to install a shower connected to the water barrels for hot days! It is quite refreshing!"
- Annie Plante

Here's what we did to use less water each time we flush our toilet: We placed a bottle full of water in one of the sides, and one or more rocks in the other one to reduce the quantity that needs to be refilled each time. And, yes, the toilet keeps working very well."
- Odile Newman

"Ever since I got a de-humidifier, I have been using the collected water for my plants."
- Marie Cousineau

Please visit the UN's web site for World Water Day, and check out the links page on our web site for more water-saving systems & tricks!

Members' Corner is a place for members to write or suggest articles about environment or community-related subjects of all kinds. Email your ideas to newsletter@cooplamaisonverte.com

5785, Sherbrooke street West, Metro Vendome + bus #105 - call us! 514-489-8000