I'm always trying to add habits to make my lifestyle more ecologically sustainable. I don't do anything too radical, but I try to be as conservative as possible. Here's some hippie stuff I like to do.
Reusing:
Egg Cartons: I return these to the farm where we buy our eggs.
Plastic Bags: I don't use cloth bags at the grocery store, but I do save the plastic ones. I use them for my small bathroom trash cans.
Plastic Cups: You know those big 32oz cups you get at McDonalds? They're great for making sure I drink enough water in the day.
Candle containers: I only buy candles where you can reuse the container. I've gotten some cute bowls this way. Just wipe out the excess wax when it's still soft and melted.
Plastic Take Home Boxes: They're perfect for packing a lunch for JR.
Freecycling: At www.freecycle.org, you can sign up for a local Yahoo group where you give stuff you don't need away for free. Plus you can sign up to pick up free stuff.
I have posted ads to get rid of alot of recyclables that people want. I save my salsa jars, and when I saved a box full, I never have a problem getting rid of it on Freecycle. I even have a person that will pick up my draft printer paper, because they don't want to use fresh paper for their unimportant stuff.
Sorting Trash: Doing this is a little more work. It's nice though, because the amount of trash we produce is greatly diminished. We can go 2-3 weeks before we have to take the bin down to the street on trash night.
Paper:I throw paper trash away separately from regular trash, and burn it in my backyard fire pit. Filip loves our weekly fires.
Recycle: Duh
Composting: I keep a compost bin in the back yard, and save all our food scraps for it. Because our food trash is out of it, our regular trash never smells.
Substitutes:
I use toilet paper instead of paper towels for small spills in the kitchen. For the larger ones, I use a wet rag.
ITunes instead of CD's. Everyone does this anyway.
Netflix instead of buying movies.
Internet instead of buying cookbooks or instruction books.
Whenever I get a liquid soap that I can't use on my skin, I use it to clean the bathroom. Just sud up a mesh sponge and scrub the tub and sink. It's less toxic chemicals than most bathroom cleaners.
Workout at home instead of the gym. Saves gas, time & money. Of course, if I didn't have a kid, I would be going to the gym.
I would love to hear your conserving ideas. Comment and let me know.
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2 comments:
I do a lot of the same things you do & it all makes a difference.
When I clean off hairbrushes (mine & the animal's), I throw the hair outside b/c birds use hair to make nests.
Crush up egg shells & mix in the soil of your plants. Gives them calcium.
If you use rice steamer, save the leftover water (from the drippings)& use it as stock for homemade soup.
I make croutons from old/stale bread. Just cut or break into squares, mix w/ Italian dressing, spread on a baking sheet (spray w/ Pam first) & bake, Turn pieces halfway through. Yum!
Those plastic bags w/ zippers that sheets, bedspreads & pillow cases come in are great for storing items. You can also use them to pack things for trips/traveling.
Those are great! I really want to do the egg shell thing. I don't crush them now, and they're taking over my compost.
The crouton idea sounds really good too.
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