New Ways I'm Being Green: Sustainable Living Changes
As far as sustainable practives are concerned we already:
- Recycle throughout the house, not just the kitchen.
- Have geothermal heating & cooling.
- Live in a cohousing community http://www.libertyvillage.com/.
- Eat eggs from the neighbors' chickens.
- I use reusable shopping bags, not just for groceries either. I love them from http://www.envirosax.com/
- Make my own bread from scratch - oh, so fresh.
- Today I sowed tomato plant & basil plant seeds to get them ready to plant outdoors after the last frost.
- Make my own yogurt from milk and activator - oh, so fresh.
- I'm am in the middle of starting my own worm composter.
- We are looking at joining a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) up the road.
Here are some things that Ed and I do to live a green life:
ReplyDeleteI recycle everything I can (and have been known to carry bottles and such home from restaurants, etc).
We have a programmable thermostat.
WeI unplug all electrical appliances not being used and have bought an electrical outlet for the tv/dvd that shuts it off when not in use.
We use eco-friendly light bulbs, batteries.
We belong to two CSAs and buy all our produce, meats, dairy and bread locally.
We use reusable shopping bags for all shopping (always keep one in my purse). And, I also bring reusable produce bags.
When shopping, we choose products that have the least packaging or ones that have been made from recycled material.
When doing errands, we do them all on one day.
I buy most of my clothes secondhand.
I just created a brigade on terracycle.com
As we need to replace furniture or appliances, I search for ones that are more eco-friendly.
I walk everywhere I can.
We buy cleaning and hygiene products that are eco-friendly.
We use the least amount of water as possible.
Things I want to do:
Create a garden, make my own bread and yogurt, and can and dehydrate seasonal veggies.
Boy, Elaine, that's just a few! Way to go!
ReplyDeleteHere's what I do:
ReplyDeleteKitchen
Hand wash dishes, use dishwasher as drying rack
Compost
Woodstove heats house and cuts down on electric when used with heat
Recycling-paper, plastic, glass, aluminum
Ceiling fan for woodstove heat and as ac in summer
Reuse paper scraps to make lists
Reuse glass jars to store grains, beans
Buy things in bulk / and products with less packaging
Eat in season, organic, locally, farmers markets, grow my own
Worm /compost box
Reusable glass containers
Cloth napkins
Dish soap that is not harmful to the earth
Garden
Use a cold frame to grow my food almost all year long
Recycle yard trimmings
Compost pile- food, leaves, etc.
Use Sustainable seed companies
Save seeds from year to year
Use Ash from woodstove as a soil amendment
Plant a row for the hungry in the garden-donate to local soup kitchen
Grow my own herbs and make my own tinctures
Use a Rain barrel to water the garden
Choose organic methods for pest control
Family room
Shades down during day in summer, open at night instead of ac
On warm winter days, shades up to heat house
Use Storm door to let sunlight in in winter
Plexiglass or storm door for winter
Heat at 68 in winter-wear a sweater and slippers instead
Turn down during day when not home
Close doors and vents for rooms not in use
donate used books to library, check out library books instead of new
Bathroom
Jar full of water in back of toilet to save water
Turn water off when brushing teeth
Use Low flow showerhead
Don’t flush every time
Use Recycled toilet paper
Save and reuse bath water for plants
Shampoo, soap and products that are not harmful to the earth
Flush toilet paper rather than putting in trash
Recycle cardboard tp tubes…good for hamsters or art projects
Bedrooms
More blankets in winter
Shutting door to keep heat in in winter
Lots of Plants help filter the air and provide soothing environment for sleep
Donate clothing to women’s shelters, rescue mission or purple heart who give it away for free
Clothing swap with friends
Go through kids rooms often for outgrown clothes, toys, books, etc to donate
Shop at yard sales and thrift stores or have a kids swap
Laundry Room
Full loads, cold water
Clothes line to dry- inside and out
Adjust water heater to 120
Lawn
Let it grow
Compost grass clippings or leave them be
Let wild edibles thrive..chickory, dandelion, wineberry, etc.
Plant herbs
More plants, less lawn