I have used this quote before, I'll undoubtedly use it again.
For the past few years my family and I have, in earnest, been trying to reduce our impact on the planet.
We recycle prodigiously, including e-waste, I've stopped all mailed catalogues, we use reusable bags for grocery shopping and so on, all baby steps but in the right direction I think. But, I'd like to do so much more, including but not limited to, just not bringing so much garbage and recyclables home in the first place.
So dear flist, I'm taking suggestions.
Please tell me that ONE thing you are doing to be more crew and less passenger. What made me think of this was the suggestion from
positive_pat to recycle my coffee grounds and egg shells to use for my plants instead of just washing them down the sink, something that I used to do but had forgotten about and which I've started doing again, a mini attempt at the actually composting we're planning on starting later in the year.
So, if you could take just a minute and let me know that one thing you do that you feel helps you be more green I'd so appreciate it. I'll make a second post of whatever suggestions I may receive. And, thank you.
For the past few years my family and I have, in earnest, been trying to reduce our impact on the planet.
We recycle prodigiously, including e-waste, I've stopped all mailed catalogues, we use reusable bags for grocery shopping and so on, all baby steps but in the right direction I think. But, I'd like to do so much more, including but not limited to, just not bringing so much garbage and recyclables home in the first place.
So dear flist, I'm taking suggestions.
Please tell me that ONE thing you are doing to be more crew and less passenger. What made me think of this was the suggestion from
positive_pat to recycle my coffee grounds and egg shells to use for my plants instead of just washing them down the sink, something that I used to do but had forgotten about and which I've started doing again, a mini attempt at the actually composting we're planning on starting later in the year.So, if you could take just a minute and let me know that one thing you do that you feel helps you be more green I'd so appreciate it. I'll make a second post of whatever suggestions I may receive. And, thank you.
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Our home recycling cans have decreased by one can a week just from my habit ending. And I can tell you, I threw far more out than ever made it into the recycling tub, just because there wasn't one handy when I finished the can.
I've also discovered the joy of trains. Instead of driving to and from NYC every time I want to go, it is easier, and greener, to drive to the train station, only a third of the way, (and much less than that in gas consumption since it is the non-congested third) and then take the train and the subway the rest of the time.
Arwen, learning new tricks as an old dog!
Arwen, learning new tricks as an old dog!
Gayle, right there with you!
I pack my lunch every day in a reusable bag with plastic containers and plastic utensils that I wash in the dishwasher and reuse.
Since the weather turned warm, I've started drying clothes outdoors on a line in our backyard.
To use less electricity, I keep the house between 58 and 60 degrees in the winter. (I realize that not everyone can deal with being that cold, but I believe in sweatshirts and slippers. *g*)
Pay bills online and do not receive "paper" bills.
Go to the dump and dispose of your garbage yourself. I do this and I have everything already separated so i deposit the glass in the glass recycling, the soda alum cans in the alum recycling, the plastic in the plastic recycling.
Take your old magazines & newspapers to a place that collects them to recycle. Same with your old telephone books.
Take your live Christmas tree at the end of the season to a Christmas Tree recycling place.
All your "food waste" such as scraps of fruits & veg. can either be put in a pit for compost OR if you have woods, throw it into the woods for the animals to eat. I live on 5 acres that has woods and pastures. I throw old lettuce and carrots out in my yard and then sit and watch all the wild rabbits come and eat it. I get my best wildlife pictures that way.
If you purchase items that come in a 6 pack with a plastic ring around each ot the items like a 6 pack of coke or beer. Cut each of the plastic rings so they are not whole circles. The reason is when all these are thrown away and end up in the lakes, streams, oceans or water sources, the aniamls such as big fish or turtles will not get them caught around their necks. You should see how many sea turtles die each year from this type of thing.
Sorry I got carried away here but really I do all these things and it really takes no time at all.
Hugs
Pat
2. Replace faucet washers regularly to prevent drips/leaks.
3. Use aerators in all your faucets.
4. Turn off the faucet while brushing teeth.
5. Keep an egg timer in your bathroom and use it to limit your showers to 5 minutes in length.
6. I know you've already re-landscaped, so this may not be such good advice for you but -- use native and/or drought-friendly plantings in your landscaping.
7. Water lawn & shrubs between 8 pm - 6 am only.
8. Hand water plants rather than using a sprinkler system.
9. Limit auto-sprinklers to 5 minutes per cycle.