Tips for Going Green
1. Shop Locally
Look for locally grown produce at farmer's markets, farm stands and food co-ops. You get fresher fare, support your community and help reduce fuel waste and emissions from long-distance shipping. Local food-co-ops are taking sign-ups now so check some out in your area. They are a great way to get fresh produce on a regular basis.
2. B.Y.O.B.
"Bring your own bag": Skip your supermarket's plastic bags and transport groceries in reusable tote bags or canvas product sacks. If you do bring home goods in the stores plastic, be sure to recycle them. Most grocery stores have a drop off spot to place your clean plastic bags to be recycled. I have a designated bin in my pantry just for plastic shopping bags and when it gets full I just bring them with me the next time I go grocery shopping.
3. Ditch the plastic bottles
Outfit your kitchen tap with a water filter or keep a pitcher of water filled in your refrigerator that has a filter and tote around a refillable sports bottle made of glass, aluminum or recycled plastic (preferably BPA free). I carry one with me to school each day. It holds 24 oz. which is perfect for the whole day. If you are trying to get in your eight glasses each day, this is an easy way to keep track of it.
4. Recycle
Kick those cleaned-out cans, jars, plastic bottles, pizza boxes and even used foil to the curb an recycling day. Check with your local recycling agency on what they pick up. They can differ from town to town.
5. Reduce waste
Buy in bulk, pick fresh ingredients and look for products with limited or at least recyclable packaging.
6. Ten Thousand....
Gallons of water wasted annually by the average American home because of running toilets, dripping faucets and other household leaks. The Environmental protection Administration estimates that 10 percent of homes have leaks that waste at least 90 gallons per day.
7. Shoes off
Take your shoes off at the door. Your shoes track in bacteria, dust, dirt, puddle drops and a host of potential carpet stains. If you and your family get in the habit of taking your shoes off at the door, you will reduce the amount of dirtiness that you track into the house, so you will need to clean your floors less often. Which means less cleaning chemicals. Place a boot tray or area rug near your entry to remind your friends and family to remove their shoes when they enter. I have one by my front door and one in my mud room.
8. Use a broom
Looking for the cheapest way to pick that dust and dirt off the floor? Sell that Swiffer at the next garage sale, and stick to your handy broom, the original picker-upper. A dust pan has one-time packaging (if any) and creates no ongoing trash or bills. Those convenient one-time-use Swiffer cloths can’t claim the same.
9. Use cloth napkins
Not only do cloth napkins last longer than paper ones, they look and feel much nicer. When dinner guests come over for the first time, I sometimes catch them picking up their napkin with a smile that says, “Wow! I thought only fancy people used these.” Not so, my friend! Cloth napkins are cheap and easy to find, and there are all kinds of styles available to suit any table arrangement. We freshen the napkins when guests are over, but when it’s just our family, we re-use the same napkins for several days, something I would never do with paper napkins. I do not really have a color preference but you can pick them up just about anywhere or make them yourself. It is quite an easy showing project. Just see how Holly (I know the same name as me, try not to be confused) over at Chez Beeper Bebe made hers or try World Market, but I have also found many great options on Etsy. Shop around and see what you can find.
10. Re-use bath towels
Let your bath towels dry between showers and use them several times, instead of washing them after each use. You’re clean when you get out of the shower, so your towels never get all that dirty; they just need a chance to dry. If you have limited towel rods, install hooks on the back of your bathroom door.
So, see, it's not hard. It just takes some commitment on your part. Just think if everyone tried at least one or two of these tips and stuck with them, this world would be a better place to live in. Most importantly it would be better for future generations.
Coming soon.......ways to reuse/recycle when it comes to decorating your house. Stop back soon, you won't want to miss it.
sources:
Food Network Kitchens; foodnetwork.com
Better Homes and Gardens Special Interest Publications, Renovation Style, Fall 2010
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