In a world of big industry, cost cutting and “I want it fast and easy” mentalities, the need to live green has become more and more apparent. Disposable this and single use that over the years has lead to an abundance of litter and pollution that I have finally said “NO MORE” to. But what exactly have I done, as a human being, to contribute to less waste and more eco-friendly living?
First and foremost, I have two trash cans in my kitchen. One for glass, paper and other recyclable items and the other for trash. Seems easy. But still there are folks out there who don’t go that extra step to consider the option. Seek out your local recycling center if your trash service doesn’t offer an option. The question still remaining was, “How do I reduce the amount of stuff that goes into those. I began with looking at what I bought and what I threw away. Glass? If I buy things in glass, instead of plastic, I can reuse that container! So, I began washing labels off of the jars and bottles that juice, spaghetti sauce, etc. Those then became drinking glasses and tea bottles.
Next on the list…eat organic. I’ve not quite come around to cutting out meat from my diet, but I’m making a concerted effort to buy organic, cage free, free range and all natural products.
Water and Electricity were my next challenge. Switching to energy saving compact fluorescent light bulbs in my apt has not only reduced the amount of wattage we burn but honestly provides more comfortable light. With water, I replaced my shower head with a flow regulating shower head that reduces use. Another water was those darn water bottles. I switched to a reusable stainless steel bottle and fill it up vs. opening water bottles constantly and throwing them away after use. Don’t forget the Brita pitcher for clean filtered water to go into those stainless steel water bottles…it’s not going to fool anyone filling your “eco” water bottle with water from plastic bottles.
Information and spreading the word. That’s the most important point in this whole movement. Letting others know what you are doing and how easy it is for them to make less of an impact on the environment. I make jewelry and other crafts as a hobby and I make it a point to not only use organic, recycled and natural materials, but to tell everyone that I do. I don’t do it because it’s cool, in or hip, but because it’s the right thing to do.
If we each do a little it will add up to a lot. Imagine if we ALL did a lot!
Watch the “organic” stuff. “Organic” just like “Fair Trade” are trademarks that companies can buy into, and there are very lose regulations that have to be followed in order for a product to fall into this catagory.
Organic is also very misleading because 9 times out of 10 it comes from a distant location and has more “Food Miles” – which is the pollution generated for getting food from one location to another by trains, planes, buses.
As an alternative to organic try finding a local produce stand where you can get fresher truly organic veggies, eggs, milk ect and you are supporting your local agriculture!
I think it is excellent what you are doing. I am doing something similiar to my lifestyle…check out my blog.