What Are Some Easy Ways to Protect the Environment?
Feb 4, 2010 Going Green
Not everything about protecting the environment has to be a big step or expensive to get started, such as adding solar power to a house. Some of the things you can do are relatively simple and won’t take a lot of your time.
1. Switch to CFLs or LED lighting.
Both types of bulbs cost more than conventional bulbs, but they last longer. CFLs
2. Check your car’s tire pressure.
Low tire pressure is a big drain on your mileage. The impact can be something you’ll notice with each refuel of your car. That means you’re saving money and using less gas, not a bad deal at all for trying to be a little greener.
3. Stop using paper towels.
Yes, I know how wonderfully convenient paper towels are. But they’re also a huge waste. People cleaned in their homes just fine on a regular basis without them.
Use newspapers to wipe windows and mirrors instead. They do a good job when combined with your preferred glass cleaner.
Get some good microfiber cleaning cloths
4. Use reusable shopping bags.
This one can actually be kind of challenging. Remembering to bring the bags after you buy them is tough for many people.
Cheap reusable shopping bags can be bought at many stores now, and you can buy better quality ones online. More and more stores are getting used to customers bringing in their own bags, and some even give you a nickel or so off your total purchase for each reusable bag you bring in.
5. Eat vegetarian meals sometimes.
Meat production is really hard on the environment, especially meat that comes from factory farms. You can save money and do a bit of good for the environment if you cut down on how much meat you eat.
The simplest way is to just decide to have one vegetarian meal a day, week or month, whatever works for you. Try out some new recipes.
Tags: cfl, easy ways to protect the environment, led, light bulbs, reusable bags, tire pressure, vegetarian meals
Joining an Organic Produce Buying Club
Jan 4, 2010 Going Green
I’ve come up with my first goal for the One Small Change for this month. I came across it pretty much by coincidence. My husband happened to comment that one of his coworkers had sent him an email about an organic produce buying club he was in and really liked, and forwarded it to me.
They look really good, and as much as possible they buy from local organic farms. And it’s only $22 a week for this co-op, plus $10 per year. They pool the money to get organic foods at wholesale prices.
Eating local is always a great goal. We used to do pretty well at the old house in Poway with our garden some years. Moving in mid summer meant that this year we didn’t get that benefit.
Anyhow, I’m paying my money and the first pickup will be on Saturday. I’m looking forward to it.
Tags: co-op, organic foods, organic produce
What to Do with All Those Christmas and Holiday Cards?
Dec 22, 2009 Going Green
Much as you may try to limit your own use of cards and such at this time of year, you can’t easily stop other people from sending them to you. What do you do with all the kind Christmas and holiday wishes sent by card by loving family members and friends?
For a time, they do make nice decorations. You can hang them around a door frame or have them set up on a table or shelf. But what about after?
I know some people keep them all. But I’m not into cluttering up my life that way.
They can of course be recycled in many areas as well.
But I like to give them a little bit of reuse before they hit the recycle bin. I have kids, after all, and they love to do crafts. Cards give them something fun to work with.
Kids are good at coming up with their own ideas, which is nice for temporary use before you send their projects off to the recycle bin… those that the kids don’t want to keep for a time, of course. But you can direct their creativity a little bit as well. There’s a lens on Squidoo with some cute card craft ideas.
Another good use is to send your used cards to St. Jude’s Ranch. They are accepting cards now, and will continue to do so until February 28, 2010 for the current program. They do this many years, so keep it in mind for the future also.
Gift cards can also have the backs cut off, and then they can be reused as gift tags the following year. Just be sure nothing is written on the part you’re reusing.
Green Books for Christmas Gifts
Dec 3, 2009 Going Green
I love to read. It almost doesn’t matter the topic if I have the time. It’s just a little thing I do.
So of course, recommending books comes naturally to me. And with Christmas being a great time to give books as gifts, here are some ideas:
Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder
I got a review copy of this many months ago. While it’s not about going green, it is about something that should be important to all parents… getting their kids to appreciate nature. After all, if they don’t appreciate nature why would they want to protect and preserve it?
Getting out into nature is also vital to children’s development. Video games just don’t cut it. They need to get outside and deal with the dirt, climb some trees, get wet and just have fun. That means more than just sending them out into the back yard.
Get this one for your favorite parents of school aged children, green or no. It’s great food for thought.
For the green mom to be. Making homemade baby food is something I’ve really gotten into. So much more flexible than using jarred foods, and my baby already has a clear preference for what I make. Those rare times I resort to jars she is not too happy with me and seems (in my opinion) to eat less.
Sewing Green: 25 Projects Made with Repurposed & Organic Materials
For the green crafter in your life. Sewing is a habit I meant to pick up last summer, until we moved on rather short notice. There’s so much you can do with fabrics you already own.
Grow Your Own Tree Hugger: 101 activities to teach your child how to live green
Kids love to do crafts and do projects. Encouraging them to do ones that get them thinking about the environment is a great idea.
This may come more naturally to some kids than others. Mine have been raiding the recycle bin for reusable items, and bringing in all kinds of natural things from outside to work with. It’s wonderful to see, if a bit messy. I like the idea of encouraging them to do more.
Easy Green Living: The Ultimate Guide to Simple, Eco-Friendly Choices for You and Your Home
Your home is one of the easiest places to have a green impact on your environment. This book offers green cleaning solutions, personal care items and other things you use around the home.
Wake Up and Smell the Planet: The Non-Pompous, Non-Preachy Grist Guide to Greening Your Day
For the person who needs a lighter approach to going green. This book doesn’t present everything in a serious manner, which can be helpful in getting some people to pay more attention to what it’s saying.
Are You Ready for a Green Christmas Shopping Season?
Nov 23, 2009 Going Green
The holiday season is perhaps one of the most difficult times to be green. There are so many temptations to shop, shop, shop… and so many of the temptations are such poor choices for the environment. These are some of my thoughts on how to green things up just a little.
Avoid Black Friday Crowds
Admittedly, I have a long standing bias against Black Friday shopping. Comes from even before I thought much about the environment. Too many years working in retail and dealing with Black Friday crowds from the other side.
But it’s really ridiculous to fight the crowds that are so common on that day. To me there’s no Christmas present so important that I have to deal with that nonsense. The bargains are nice, but if you really need them, do consider that there’s Cyber Monday and you could just shop online. It can be more efficient. Sites such as Amazon are even starting “Black Friday” deals today and you might find something reasonable in their special deals.
Carpool if You Just Gotta
If you need to fight the crowds, think if any friends want to go shopping with you. It’s more fun, although you may have to be careful if you tend to buy more when you shop with friends.
And don’t worry about how good a parking space you get. A little extra walking isn’t going to be that much of a problem.
Think About What is Wanted and Will Last
Try not to buy gifts just to have something to give. It’s an easy mistake to make when you’re desperate for something to give, but it also results in a lot of unnecessary junk being bought.
Instead, think about gifts that really will last. It doesn’t have to be perfectly practical, but have some thought behind it.
If you don’t want to give something that lasts, think about free trade chocolates, organic produce gift baskets and such.
For the Kids?
Even kids who spend some time thinking about the environment are likely to want the latest trendy toys. It’s hard to blame them. There are a lot of really cool toys out there.
At the very least, think about if the toys you buy will have more than a momentary fascination for your kids. How many end up eternally in the toy box after a few days?
There are some great toys for kids that are more environmentally friendly too. Try to balance things out as best you can for them.
Tags: christmas, consumerism, green shopping, holidays, shopping
