Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Green Reason

My dear friend Deb over at treasure hunter girl posted this article and tested to see how her family stacked up. Impressed and always setting goals of being greener in lifestyle I thought i would also post Trish's article (check out her blog simple mom she has great ideas).

SO here goes

40 Ways to Go Greener at Home (Besides Just Recycling)
by TSH on APRIL 21, 2010
in GREEN & FRUGAL LIVING

1. Plant an herb garden. It’s good to have a reminder around of where our food originates.
I have a few pots of rosemary, basil and mint. I have mint growing amongst the roses...could do better I guess.

2. Switch all your lightbulbs to CFLs (or at least switch a few).
We are almost there

3. Create a homemade compost bin for $15.
We have a worm farm, but could probably make another one for chunkier compost

4. Switch one appliance to an energy efficient model (look for the “energy star” label).
I am about to buy a new dishwasher and that will be an efficient one - we do aim for the best ratings.

5. Stop using disposable bags – order some reusable bags, or make your own. My favorites areEnvirosax and Flip & Tumble.
A few years ago I made the committment to green bags. Of course in the first few months I managed to collect a gazillion green bags

6. Buy an inexpensive reusable water bottle, and stop buying plastic disposable bottles. Then watch The Story of Bottled Water, a short movie about the bottled water phenomena.
We all use our own refillable bottles, especially after finding out how much oil it takes for the production and transportation of one bottle

7. Wash laundry in cold water instead of hot.
You know, I have never known different. My mum ALWAYS washed in cold water.

8. Turn off lights when you leave the room.
Yes! We do this and always do this

9. Don’t turn on lights at all for as long as you can — open your curtains and enjoy natural light.
Yes we do that too

10. Drive the speed limit, and combine all your errands for the week in one trip.
After copping a speeding fine this year I learnt my lesson - I granny drive now : 5km under!
And I since going back to work I find the supermarket an unabearable way to spend time, so I tend to do it less and less. Whatever I can do via internet I do, and petrol fill ups, people pick ups etc are done in round trips

11. Better yet, walk or ride a bike to your errands that are two miles or closer.
I am trying to use my local green grocer and always shop locally but I can't say i walk - maybe I could try to do that once and while

12. Support your local economy and shop at your farmer’s market.
i must get to one - anyone know a good one around the banyule area?

13. Turn off your computer completely at night.
My husband is always telling me to do this

14. Research whether you can sign up for green power from your utility company.
Hubby has just changed us over last week in fact!

15. Pay as many bills as possible online.
Is there any other way?

16. Put a stop to unsolicited mail — sign up to opt out of pre-screened credit card offers. While you’re at it, go ahead and make sure you’re on the “do not call” list, just to make your life more peaceful.
I must confess I love junk mail, but the time has come to say no junk mail, *swallow , gulp* I'll do it.

17. Reuse scrap paper. Print on two sides, or let your kids color on the back side of used paper
I often use the envelopes that i receive in the post for shopping lists

18. Conduct a quick energy audit of your home.
Will get on it to

19. Subscribe to good eco-friendly blogs. My favorites are The Daily Green, TreeHugger, andKeeper of the Home. Of course, you gotta subscribe to Simple Organic.
Great idea, there are some great Australian bloggers around that would be able to provide a more local context for us Aust bloggers

20. Before buying anything new, first check your local Craigslist or Freecycle.
Freecycle! I love this idea and will blog about this in detail later.

21. Support local restaurants that use food derived less than 100 miles away, and learn more about the benefits of eating locally.
Yes, we do that

22. Fix leaky faucets.
Never! Not in water saving Melbourne!

23. Make your own household cleaners. I’ve got quite a few recipes in my e-book.
I use WAM : water, amonia and metho....cheap and sound. I use bia carb and vinegar too

24. Line dry your laundry.
Yes unless it is an emergency or there is two weeks of rain
25. Watch The Story of Stuff with your kids, and talk about the impact your household trash has on our landfills.
Saw that the other day and will watch it with kids - on my to do list

26. Learn with your kids about another country or culture, expanding your knowledge to other sides of the world.
Great idea, my kids are in CUB Scouts, they could do a badge

28. Lower the temperature on your hot water heater.
Will look into this

29. Unplug unused chargers and appliances.
We try hard at this but need to try harder

30. Repurpose something – turn one of your well-worn t-shirts into basic play pants for your baby. Or save egg cartons for paint wells, seed starters, treasure boxes, or a myriad of other crafts.
I think there are a number of bears, monsters etc around here that were once clothes or curtains.

31. Collect rainwater, and use it to water your houseplants and garden.
Saving for one at the moment

32. Switch to cloth diapers – or at least do a combination with disposables.
By the time I need these again, I probably won't be able to articulate my choice

33. Switch to shade-grown coffee with the “Fair Trade” label.
Have tried a few brands, yet to find one that stacks up to Lavazza. Would love to hear of some brands to try

34. Use a Diva Cup for your monthly cycles.
Thanks but NO thanks

35. Use cloth instead of paper to clean your kitchen. Be frugal, and make these rags out of old towels and t-shirts.
Would never occur to me to use paper for cleaning

36. Use cloth napkins daily instead of paper.
I have a gazillion of them, maybe I should put them into commission

37. Read Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, and open your eyes to the way conventional food is processed. Watch Food, Inc. while you’re at it.
Okay, I'll find that book

38. Repurpose glass jars as leftover containers and bulk storage, especially in the kitchen.
Yes, I do this

39. Five-minute showers – make it a goal for yourself.
Five minutes!!!! Bloody hedonism! 3 minute showers here thanks hey fellow Melbournians.

40. Donate to – and shop at – thrift stores such as Goodwill. You’ll be recycling perfectly usable items, and you’ll be supporting your local economy.
Preaching to the converted, hey girls!?

Which of these do you already do? Which ones are you going to focus on this next year? And what can you add to the list?



Written by Tsh Oxenreider
Tsh is the editor and writer of this place, and is the founder of Simple Living Media, a little company with the mission to help people live simply. While she waits for her first book to show up in stores late 2010, she spends time drinking coffee, being mama to her two little ones, and eagerly awaiting the arrival of number 3, due this summer.

OK, so we still could do more and we will. Thanks Trish for some great ideas...


1 comment:

Cat said...

Gee some of those are tricky but it does get you thinking about what else you can do to save the environment and money too. We do some of those but I don't know about giving up junk mail, I do love reading the stuff but I don't really need too!xo