My family is slowing but surely trying to become more "green". I find myself buying more and more organic foods and natural products. We have 2 toddlers so I am trying to focus more on their products first. It's not an overnight change by any means and it can be quite expensive!
On a scale of 1 to 10 how "green" would you say you are?
What is one thing you have done or one product that you switched to?
I would love to see a lot of ideas and maybe each of us can take one new idea away with us to try!
I'll start;
I am probably a "4"
I have my list of "top ten produce items you should buy organic" in my wallet so that it makes produce shopping less confusing!
Your turn!
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I'm horrible when it comes to paper, though. I print emails. I make copies of articles I like. And, I don't recycle.
* Keep the thermostat low. We're set to 65. Get a programmable thermostat - it'll pay for itself (even the REALLY fancy expensive ones!) in as little as a month.
* No more paper towels. Waste of money (and resources)
* Re-use bags for trash and diaper covers when you're out and about.
* Put your junk mail in a container. Put in some kid-safe scisors. When your toddler is bored, crack out the tub of junk mail and tell him to cut out the pictures. Instant game!
* Recycle everything. Your municipality sells the recyclables to cut down costs. The more that gets recycled, the less your municipality has to charge you in taxes.
* Use door draft stops on your outside doors.
* Use compact fluorescent light bulbs. They're in all my light fixtures now, thanks to yahoo's "going green" campaign where they sent you a free compact fluorescent in the mail.
* Walk or bike to the store for those "quick trips" - you get exercise and save gas and wear and tear on your car.
* Consolidate trips. NEVER go out of the house for just one trip. It's a colossal waste of gas.
* Make your baby's baby food - some foods are very easy to make. Re-use the glass baby food jars. Do NOT purchase baby food in the plastic containers. Not only are they not recyclable, they aren't reusable!
* Buy in bulk. Not only is it cheaper, it uses less packaging.
* Put your security lights on timers/motion detector auto-on. You'll save money over burning those lights all night.
* Get a special time-circuit for your electric dryer. It only allows you to run your dryer at off-peak hours (after 9pm, or whenever your utility co. has designated), and you'll save a bundle.
STOP printing junk out. It's a waste of money. Webpage? Save the html file to your hard drive.
* Switch to electronic monthly statements for your bank, utility company(ies), credit cards, etc. It's easier to keep track of on your computer, and you don't waste all that paper.
* Pay your bills online. Don't print out the receipts, save the webpage that has your confirmation information on it.
* Stop taking 20 minute showers. Hot water feel good on your sore back? Get a heating pad. it's cheaper to run the heating pad than to pay for and heat the water.
* Repair that clothing for another season's use. I always have a basket of mending. I usually catch up during football season.
* library, library, library. Walk or bike there for a little exercise and change of pace.
* Start a garden. Apartment dweller? Grow a pot of your most-used spice, like oregano or basil.
* Use tupperware for your lunch instead of plastic baggies.
* Use a thermos for your drink - purchasing drinks from vending machines wastes money and generates more refuse.
* You aren't brown bagging it, are you? There are a zillion beautiful lunch bags out there. Get one, or make one.
* Work from home 1 day a week (I work from home full time - I save a BUNDLE on gas!)
There's more - but this is what our family has regularly incorporated into our daily routine. We've also canceled all our magazine subscriptions, and cut our cable. With no cable, you won't be paying to run that stupid television! Not only will you save on your cable bill, but you'll save on your electric bill because your TV won't be on nearly as much. Plus you'll be uncluttering your mind from all that useless drivel that's on TV! :-)
I have to say we have cut way back on paper use; I do everything that I can via computer and email. If we have to print we make sure we are using both sides then the kids get it when it is trash. Everytime we have a light bulb burn out we switch to the fluorescent; I think we have only 5 more to go before the whole house is swicthed over. I wish we could bike/walk more for transportation but we live in a more rural community so the only places we can get to is the post office, the LIBRARY (yippee!), and Taco Bell (YUCK!).
Rachel you gave everyone many easy ideas...I hope someone can use them!
And kudos to you for making your own baby food; I did as much as I could and then bought oragnic (glass jars) when I had to supplement.
You're right about diapers; thanks for the reminder to all of us moms of little ones!
Chelsea, it is a start isn't it? There are so many easy things we can do to be even more green!
When it comes to the house, we're not too green inside. It would be overly expensive to go completely green around here. We live in the middle of nowhere and it is hard to come by a lot of the green products. We do eat some organic and health food store items. I use a health food store shampoo on my son. I also use handmade soaps I buy locally. I also try to buy as much local product as I can. Mostly in the summer as I live in NJ - and it is cold now so there aren't any local food products (not grown anyway).
I try to wear as much natural materials as possible and try to do most of my shopping all in one area, so we don't drive everywhere. Sometimes that is impossible.
I wish I could be more green. Maybe one of these days there will be more availabilities of products around here and then I will.
I make most of my own things/products..., I am an organic gardener, I recycle everything AND teach these things to my kids and their friends (and anyone else who will listen).
I make my own cleaner and even had it published in an online newsletter for the Pacific Northwest - I don't remember the town. It was the "Sure Fire and Nails" newsletter - they asked for submissions including the back-story.
I conserve water and collect rain water into barrels and use it to water plants and rinse things off. I encourage the frogs to stay and eat any mosquito that try to live there.
I also encourage birds to live nearby by having lots of houses and feeds around. this is a natural pest/bug prevention.
I buy many of the things I cannot make at flea markets or yard sales to keep these things out of the landfills.
I am a mega composter and even have a whole page on my website about it.
My kids and I make our own decorations, my daughter makes our crocheted hats for winter, we make our own soap... .
I sell vintage items at my little shop. I love vintage stuff because it has more character then most of the new stuff out there AND it is another form of recycling - LOL
Organically yours,
Diana
My virtual storefront:
http://organicgiftsbydiana.mybisi.com/
My main website :
http://www.dianascraft-antiqueshop.4t.com
My Squidoo :
http://www.squidoo.com/OrganicandNatural
http://www.squidoo.com/NaturalProductsbyDiana
http://www.squidoo.com/AllNaturalPerfume