[polldaddy poll=1043154]No longer are we cheering for the Browns, nor Blue and Gold, or even Gold and Silver. The not-so-new color is Kermit’s favorite and should be yours too – GREEN! Yes, you have been hearing it on the radiowaves, satellite waves, road signs and throughout every grocery in the nation – ECO FRIENDLY!
I recently subscribed to a newspaper, published right here in Cleveland, Ohio – EarthwatchOhio.org. I love it, short articles about events and eco friendly companies helping people and the environment. In additon where to shop, buy earth friendly products and more. I look forward to reading every issue! (It also comes as a print newspaper.)
Another blog that I also really like is tipsonlivinggreen.wordpress.com, which has weekly blogs on an assortment of Green living, sustainability, eco friendly manufacturers and architects, and so much more I don’t know where to end.
I have already started my own green campaign at home (and have been for several years). These are ways I’m helping the environment:
Recycling – paper, cardboard, glass, newspaper, tin/aluminum cans and “ack” plastic
Reduction in plastic use - yes, really. I try not to buy plastic bottles, unless I buy in bulk or I am able to resuse it. I read it’s best to buy big rather than multiple small packages. So buy a 2 liter of soda instead of 6-20 ounce bottles. I’ve also given up buying 24 packs of water bottles and opted for a reusable water bottle instead.
Reduce and reuse water - taking shorter showers; only running full loads or laundry or dishes (diswasher); use water from boiling pasta or vegetables for watering my plants (after it’s cooled). If I lived in a house, I’d make a rain barrel and collect rain to water my yard too.
Reduce use of paper products - I have not bought paper napkins since I moved from Virginia to Ohio in July. I bought a set of pumpkin orange cloth napkins from a thrift store and use them instead of disposable paper napkins. Then I bought 2 more sets, which last 2-3 times as long as those bleached paepr ones. I am also able to make a roll of tear-a-size paper towels last a month, yes, I can. Instead I use washable cloths or rags, which came from holey socks, bleached cotton shirts and old sweatshirts. I’m able to use these dollar store 6 for 1 priced cloths many times by washing them occasionally.
Give it up for going green…everyone should do their part…no matter how small..to reduce their “carbon footprint.” Only leave behind what the Earth can digest.
I can tell now that I am “greener” with my trash than I was a few years ago. Sometimes I have very little actual trash to put out on trash day, but when it’s the week for the recycle bin, it’s overflowing and I still have another container of stuff that won’t fit in the recycle bin. I tried once to get another recycle bin, but the village wouldn’t give me one. Perhaps I should try again, because now I have 3x the recyled stuff as trash. I know I could do more, but I am starting to go green with home made cleaning products. My daughter, this blog’s author gave me a book not long ago by Mary Hunt, her column appears in many newspapers or at least it used to. The book is called Everyday Cheapskate. Great ideas for going green and living cheaper. I too, shop Dollar General and shop the ad for our small town grocery store— I especially like the 10 for $10 sales. I check out DVD’s at our local library, FREE unless I bring it back late. I belong to another library in the town where I work and I get DVD’s there, too. If you are over 60, there are NEVER any late fees! There some advantages to getting older! I try to be frugal for the good of the earth and my bank account. You might also check out a book that was popular a few years, Simple Abundance for ideas to live a simple, but elegant life on the cheap, of course!
PEACE! We said that alot in the 60′s and we tended organic gardens while trying to live the simple life………….