How green are you??

[janie1234]

Just out of curiosity how "Green" are you and what do you do help preserve the environment. I was talking to my husband the other day about light bulbs. When we moved into our place 2 years ago we replaced all the bulbs with energy efficient bulbs. We've also switched to environmentally friendly cleaning solutions and I've pretty much switched the majority of my food shopping to my local Whole Foods. My kids and I volunteer during the state park and school clean up projects by helping to pick up trash. We of course recycle and now I'm thinking of making a jump into organic cotton workout clothes. I'm finding a plus side and a down side to all this organic thinking and the down side is of course the cost and the plus side, . . .well that all goes without saying. So I'm sitting here feeling good about the example I'm trying to set for my kids but deep down inside I'm wondering if I'm making an impact at all? I know if everyone just did a little bit then it would help but, . . .I get discouraged when I see all the fast food places everywhere encouraging unclean eating and the bad eating habits at my kids school. Anyways, I thought I'd bring this up because I'm sure that there is more that I can do and there are others here that are doing things that I've never heard of or should be doing.

 

[LaughingWater]

We recycle, and we try to be conscious of how much energy we use, where we can save, etc. We also bought reusable grocery bags (At first it felt weird ~ don't know why ~ but now I use them for everything.).

My 9 year old likes to go for walks and pick up trash in our neighborhood and local park. We've come home with a full, lawn-sized trash bag, which is sad when you think about it. What's odd is that it really doesn't seem like there's THAT much trash on the ground. It doesn't become evident until you're lugging it home.

I don't know if it's because it's spread out, or if we're so used to seeing it, our eye doesn't pick it up anymore.

 

[Pearlstrand]

We try!

We choose organic when we can. We have replaced bulbs and unplugged appliances. We are trying to use less energy overall. We try to eat less processed, overpackaged stuff (bad for you anyway!). We're buying less stuff (and the economy has helped motivate us there).

Having said that, I'm sure we could do much more. I drive my son to school and my DS to the bus (but am in a carpool, so I don't drive every day) because they go to private schools. I could do a better job with my recycling. And I'm sure there are a million ways we could improve.

But you have to start somewhere, don't you?

 

[sparrow13]

DH and I are pretty green, if I do say so myself. Sustainable living is our philosophy of life, and our lifestyle decisions are based on that. Basically we are attempting to homestead, to a certain degree, and provide for ourselves. We've reduced our consumption of everything considerably, from electricity to magazines. We reuse what we can't reduce, and recycle the other stuff. We buy organic, local and Fair Trade, probably about 90 percent of our food is that, and I am just starting to make the transition into other areas, such as beauty products, furniture, clothing etc., though the end goal is to provide those things for ourselves. Hence my learning how to knit and sew! Also we volunteer with conservation causes, and generally just try to spread the gospel, hopefully not in a preachy way though!

I think the #1 thing we've done though is get out of the consumer mindset.

Sparrow

 

[banslug]

I'm intrigued by all this. Honestly, I am. I've recently really gotten into all this, but i"m such a newbie at it that I'd LOVE to hear more!

For me, we recycle aluminum and plastic. I'm working on our Township to start cardboard and paper. I've started unplugging the coffee maker and the TV in the extra bedroom. I'm going to the hardware store to get more power strips so I can do the same with my PC and the other TVs in the house. We have the energy-efficient (sprial) lightbulbs in almost every single light in the house. I walk the 3/4 mile to/from work every day, and the kids and I have started riding our bikes into town for errands like the Post OFfice, library, hardware store, etc. I buy VERY LITTLE processed 'boxed' stuff at the grocery store and I've cut down on where and how often I drive my car places. (last week, the kids and I were headed to basketball practice and they laughed when I told them it was the first time in 8 days that I'd taken the car out of the garage! LOL)

Sparrow-just how DO you get out of that consumer mindset??? I'd love to hear more.

I'm checking into a Farmer's Co-op for next Spring/Summer where I pay the farmer and I take a part of his harvest.

I'm going to check out the cleaning stuff somebody else mentioned also.

Gayle

 

[dragonf1y]

I think I am decent.
I am good about recycling. I use the Holy Cow non-toxic cleaning supplies and shop the farmer's market when I have time. It would be unsafe and too is too far to walk anywhere here.
I am replacing my windows to energy efficient, keep the thermostat high in the summer and low in the winter. Energy efficient light bulbs and power strips on all major electronics.
I wash my cloths when they smell instead of when I wear them, buy very little, and sell instead of throw away when I am done with things.
I already compost and am going to try to grow a few veggies next year. As with all things, I could do better, but I am not one to beat myself up about it.

 

[sparrow13]

I'm intrigued by all this. Honestly, I am. I've recently really gotten into all this, but i"m such a newbie at it that I'd LOVE to hear more!

Sparrow-just how DO you get out of that consumer mindset??? I'd love to hear more.

I'm checking into a Farmer's Co-op for next Spring/Summer where I pay the farmer and I take a part of his harvest.

I'm going to check out the cleaning stuff somebody else mentioned also.

Gayle

Gayle, you'll love your farmer's co-op! I "heart" my local farmer. When I started investigating this I was amazed how much food I could buy locally!

As for gettting out of the consumer mindset, well it helps if you are naturally ornery and cheap and loathe when people try to separate you from your money. Kidding! But I do think fashion and make-up and that sort of thing are in general just ways to convince people that they need to spend tons of money on all these products because if they don't they'll be friendless losers. Remember the Selsun Blue commercial where no one would hang out with the folks who had dandruff??

For us it happened over time. We got to the point in our lives a few years ago where we really started thinking about what was important to us in life, and what we wanted our own tiny little legacy to be. As CFO/COO of the family, I started reading about things like fair trade, and agribusiness, and how we could make a difference. And then we just did it. We just decided to be more mindful about how we spent our time and money. And the more we did it, the more we realized how much we didn't need actually need to buy or use or consume. We have fun with it, and it's nice to live in accordance with what we feel is important, you know?

Sparrow

 

[kathryn]

I'm pretty green, but I could do more.

Green things I do:
I recycle (better would be to not buy food in cans or plastic, and have nothing to recycle!)

I compost (no food waste goes in my garbage!)

I eat low on the food chain.

I have my own garden in the summer, and buy organic (which is better fro the environment, and for those working in the fields, as well as containing higher levels of nutrients), but I could expand my garden, have a greenhouse and grow more year round (or move to a warmer climate!), get back into sprouting for winter-time fresh greens, and shop at the local farmer's market more.

I buy recycled paper TP (by the case!) and envelopes.

I have flourescent bulbs in all my lamps (except for the dimmer-switch lamps, which I have halogen lights in, because I haven't found a dimmable flourescent).

I use rechargeable batteries.

I keep the thermostat high in the summer (and use ceiling fans) and low in the winter (and turn it down at bedtime).

I only have lights on in the room that I am in. And I use a small desk lamp and daylight to light my office rather than the many overhead lights.

I use non-toxic cleaning supplies (and white vinegar where I can) and microfiber cleaning clothes that clean some things with only water.

If it's yellow, I let it mellow (but if it's brown--or I've been eating asparagus--I flush it down).

I drive a Prius. (I could walk more, and I did walk to work and back the first couple of weeks of school).

I'm adding more organic cotton (regular cotton is NOT at all Earth-friendly, unfortunately), hemp, bamboo, soy, tencel and modal clothes to my wardrobe. I also now have bamboo sheets (bamboo is sustainably grown, and it washes in cold water).

I wash most clothes in cold water. (I've heard that more important than the type of clothes you buy is the care you give those clothes after you have them.)

I don't buy dry-clean-only clothes.

I take my car to a car wash rather than wash at home. Strange as it may seem, it's supposed to be more environmentally friendly. Car washes often recycle their water, and have to treat it before it goes into the city water system.

I usually use things until they are on their last legs, or repair, or donate still-usable item. (Still, with all that, I have more garbage than I'd like...where does it all come from???).

I could be more thoughtful in my purchases ("reduce" is one area of the "three R's" that I don't focus on enough).

I could unplug my TV and DVD player when they aren't in use (but then the clock has to be reset :-( I wonder if there's a DVD player out there with an auto-set clock?)

 

[janie1234]

Does anyone else hang their laundry on a laudry line?? I started doing this when my electric bill went through the roof topping $225 at one point (I live in a 2 bedroom home). This old home that we are renting does not have updated appliances. I also wash dishes by hand and don't use the dishwasher.

 

[sparrow13]

Does anyone else hang their laundry on a laudry line?? I started doing this when my electric bill went through the roof topping $225 at one point (I live in a 2 bedroom home). This old home that we are renting does not have updated appliances. I also wash dishes by hand and don't use the dishwasher.

Janie, I use my line in the summer and my woodstoves in the winter! Also, I think the current wisdom is that you use less water with a dishwasher than by handwashing, if that is your concern. Check that out though, I could be wrong. The "green" world is like fitness, always new info!

Sparrow

 

[Boingo1]

We recycle paper, cardboards and plastics.

It took me a minute to figure this out, and when it did I LOL!! :
If it's yellow, I let it mellow (but if it's brown--or I've been eating asparagus--I flush it down).. But similar to that, I don't flush during the night. Just once in the morning. Flushing toilets is the biggest water consumption!

We have 50% Energy Saver Bulbs in our home.

We drive our Honda Civic more and use the Durango only for large family outings.

Turned out water heater down.

It's great reading this thread, I've gotten some other good ideas!

 

[banslug]

YEAH! I forgot about my new washline! My dad surprised me while I was on vacatino this summer and FINALLY put 2 lines up for me! I use it as much as possible....even on these cold days!

I also forgot to add that I haven't EVER EVER EVER paid to have my hair cut! I'm 36 and NEVER have I paid a single person! LOL My mom does it for me. She had a beauty shop in our house when I was growing up so my perms and cuts were right there. Now, she still keeps her license up-dated, and she comes to ME to give me cuts! (no color, at ALL, either).

I'm very basic and eau-naturale type of girl. No makeup besides the basic Cover Girl pressed power, some simple brown eyeliner and a very basic black mascara. NEVER spent money on the 'big' names.

Gayle

 

[janie1234]

Also, I think the current wisdom is that you use less water with a dishwasher than by handwashing, if that is your concern.

Sparrow

Really???? Dangit! I hope that this is true I hate hand washing dishes!!! But, . . .I also have an old dishwasher from the midevil dawn of time when mustard yellow appliances and green shag carpet was in. I doubt that it is energy efficent. Does anyone know what appliance in your home uses the most electricity?? My guess was the refrigerator since it has to be on at all times. We replaced the owners worn out 1990's refrigerator with an energy efficient one and it cut our electric bill down almost $50!

 

[Matiana]

Green and Proud!
We recycle everything.
Everything that can get unplugged does.
Flushing toilets only when necessary.
Laundry get hung to try and laundry done every couple of weeks.
Plant and animal friendly cleaning products and people proudcts only.
Warm clothing rather than turning up the heat.
Watching water consumption re: showers and washing dishes etc.
Take cloth bags when going shopping even cloth fruit/veggie bags.
Carpool to work with boyfriend.
Have mug for coffee rather than getting the paper kind.

 

[dorothyrd]

Funy story...at least I think so.

I work for a software firm that does billing invoices. At times, we must print test invoices to see if the changes we have made are correct. This often takes masses of paper because the printers are so fast, that by the time you stop them, 500 pages have already printed. Most people shred them, dump them, whatever. Not me, instead of using office notepads, I use the back of the invoices for notes in meetings, plotting out ideas for programs, anything that needs blank paper. I get more comments at work about this....gee your green. I never thought twice about it. I got used to doing this when I was a SAHM mom and my artist daughter wanted paper to draw on, she got old print-outs.

Otherwise, recycyling in our town is not an option, but we have replaced all the light bulbs, and our thermostat is programmable and gets way turned down at night. I bike to work whenever possible. When my little not so great on gas mileage sports car got totaled, I replaced it with a full effecient Civic. Not so sporty, but the gas mileage is great.

I always save grocery bags and use them for other things around the house as well. Whenever I can find a multiple purpose for an item, I do, instead of pitching it.

 

[kathryn]

Does anyone else hang their laundry on a laudry line?? I also wash dishes by hand and don't use the dishwasher.

I hang dry my hand-wash clothes (which I was in the machine on the "hand wash" cycle) on a rack.

Using a laundry line is a good idea.

I also wash dishes by hand, but I've heard that a dishwasher can actually use less water (I guess it depends on how you wash).