Going Green - what do you do? :-)

16 years ago

I know that there's a forum on the GW on this topic, but I would like to know if any of my fellows WSers is interested in this?

I have been using fluorescent bulbs, composting, bringing my own shopping bags* to grocery stores, recycling paper and plastic, planting, using manure in my garden, trying to reduce my use of plastic bags, using grocery bags to line our kitchen garbage can (we use a 4 gallon wall sealant bucket as our kitchen garbage), taking public transportation to work,using rags for cleaning more often than paper towels, refilling water bottle with tap water. I have not bought water bottled for a while now.

* We eat a lot of rice. Rice bags are made of tarp-like plastic materials. Years ago, I sowed the bottom to make them look like the bottom of a paper bag, folded down the rim and stitched it, attached two canvas handles. I ended up with very nice sturdy shopping bags.

However, watching an Oprah show made me realize that there are many more things I can do. So I went and bought some "green" cleaning products and SIGG bottles yesterday.

I will start bring my own bags for produce too and reuse produce bags that I have collected. I was wondering myself how to avoid bringing home so many produce bags. Oprah gave me an excellent idea. I already have several bags that I made from voile to cover my peaches on the trees. I 'll take them to the store from now on. Gotta go take them out from the storage bin in the garage and wash them first, though. lol.

And here's my pride and joy. We got it in July. :-) This is our very first brand new car. I consider it our 30th anniversary present. lol. We don't drive it much, just for running errands here and there. My DH will hit the roof it I use it to haul manure. lol.

{{gwi:332066}}

What else do you folks to besides using recycled containers? I will promptly steal your ideas. :-)

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Comments (10)

ilsa
16 years ago
I'm doing some of the things you already mentioned ... Recycling, using my Eco-Bags instead of grocery/produce bags, carrying another bag in my purse for small shops, using CFLs, etc. I've got my water bottle, but now need to buy one for each of the kids, since they can't seem to leave mine alone! I also compost. The biggest challenge, however, is just getting the kids to turn off the lights/TVs when not in use! I've screamed, yelled, pleaded, ... nothing seems to work. Also can't seem to get DH and DS1 to turn OFF the power strips for the computers. Good grief - that's HUNDREDS of dollars & who-knows-how-many carbons whatevers that could be saved each year.

My family will get there, if I have to drag them, kicking and screaming! ;)

Ilsa
Julie
16 years ago
Yeah!!
Green is the way to go in the garden and in life!
We buy our electricity from a wind generated source- Nice that the local Elect Co offers this! We reduce- reuse and recycle all we can. I mix my own cleaners more often than buy store bought- even from the green stores- We try to be educated consumers even down to the TP we buy- recycled paper mostly- and never if at all possible from companies that cut down rain forests to make their TP!! (Just plain CRAZY that bit is!) It does take some doing to find the info you may need to buy more respectfully- but it is time and $ well spent for your efforts! It becomes second nature to ask yourself if there is a better way to do this- with everything you do.
We buy local and direct when we can- We compost all we can- try to eliminate junk mail- try to buy used- barter even more- use solar if there is a choice- reuse grey water as we are able- have wood burning heat in shop- and a wood burning stove inside for supplemental heat- use electric battery mower and other tools and gadgets that would normally use gas engines- alas- we can not say that for the auto... yet.
My husband works for a construction company that tries and does a great job at encouraging green building- re-use deconstruction- adding solar panels to their projects- You name it- they do their best to promote it!
The new book in the house is a gift from his boss, who says it is the best/most comprehensive book for green building she has come across yet- is from New Society Publishers - Your Green Home.
Every little step you make in greening your world, is a step in the right direction...
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jessme2
15 years ago
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Here is a link that might be useful: Ecosofadesign.com
just1morehosta
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Also,Organic soap.
Keeps our water ways clean,and our bodies free of fragrant,toxins.
www.consciousbath,com
cAROL
mastergarder2003
14 years ago
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Going Green - what do you do? :-)

Comments (10)

ilsa

Julie

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