It's been 115 days since I made my new year's resolution... I vowed 2008 would be a year I give back to everybody, including, and especially the environment -- to our mother Earth... so, as I sat outside my patio admiringly looking at my sprouting little garden last Tuesday (EARTH DAY 2008), I've made a list of the simple lifestlyle changes I've implemented and the new habits I've incorporated into my daily routine... all for becoming environment-friendly and hopefully preserving our world for future generations... I must admit they're meek compared to what others do out there to save the planet, but every little bit helps somehow, and I know this is just the start... after all, the world we live in is worth fighting for! YES! I AM OPTIMISTIC!! I AM BECOMING GREEN!!!
I've started with my A-B-Cs... and I hope to grow greener each passing day...
A
Avoid Fast Food.
Avoid Fast Food.
Having two kids, I'm guilty of so many trips to fast food chains. They were convenient and saved me from so many meltdowns of two hungry kids. Although I haven't completely eliminated our need for fast food, I've cut back on my runs to drive-thrus. When I go run errands with my kids now and they start chanting (company name-withheld) "french fries" or "cheeseburger", I whip out the home-prepared packed snack I brought along for them: peanut butter jelly sandwich or muffins or fruits. Not only they are nutritious but also they are not overpackaged as most fast foods are. Most fast-food companies are responsible for producing mountains of trash. By avoiding fast food whenever possible, I've help reduce this needless waste.
Buy Products Made Of Recycled Paper.
Before I buy products now, I look right on the package. Many have specific claims, such as "made of 100 percent recycled material." However, some recycled packages don't advertise this fact, although there are ways you can find out for yourself. For example, when shopping for cereal, cookies, crackers, and other groceries packaged in cardboard boxes, make sure boxes are made from recycled paper. If the underside is gray or dark brown, the cardboard is made of recycled material. If it's white, it is made of unrecycled material.
C
Close The Refrigerator Door.
By leaving it open for just a few extra seconds, you waste a lot of energy. Decide what you want before you open the refrigerator door. Then get it and close the door right away. I happen to have the old-fashioned fridge, you know, the one that don't dispense water to a glass. I love to drink water, more than eight glasses a day. I keep a gallon of water sitting at my kitchen countertop. So that's eight times I did not open the refrigerator door, eight seconds of conserved energy. When I have company over, I have beverages and bucket of ice out. Not only am I being a good hostess for anticipating my guests' need but I am also making their green effort for them.
D
Donate Your Toys To A Worthy Cause.
As a devoted mom, I try to get my kids toys that are appropriate for their developmental needs. In short, they have tons of toys! Toys that they have got tired of or grown out of. I don't throw them away. I have a couple of friends, moms like me, that are more than happy to have them. And I'm pretty sure, once their own kids no longer find use for them good old toys, they'll be keeping these things out of the trash by handing them down to somebody who can and will enjoy them. Several charitable groups also take toys as donations. Even if they are broken, they may be fixed and used by other kids less fortunate.
E
Eat Organic Produce.
I've first caved in to "organic" when I had my first baby. I wanted nothing but the best for my little bundle of joy. I found out that organic produce contains far fewer chemicals than other produce. So it started as a desire for better health. As I learn more about being green, I found out that it is definitely better for the environment. All those chemicals get washed off of farmers' fields into rivers and streams, where they pollute our water. In addition, many of the chemicals are made from petroleum and other nonrenewable resources. Organic fruits, vegetables and grains are grown without most conventional pesticides and without fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients. Organic meat and dairy products are free of antibiotics and growth hormones. Anyone who has tried going green knows it can sometimes cost you more. Some people say they cannot afford to eat organically because eating organic is so expensive. I say one just have to be a savvy shopper and need to learn where to shop. Although I am not going to buy organic that are ridiculously overpriced, I am willing to pay a little more for organic food simply because I like the taste. I don't want to feed my family chemicals, just real food! After all, who wants to save money and sacrifice health? I'm still a rookie in maintaining an organic kitchen but there's plenty of resources out there; here's a few:
F
Feed The Birds.
I've yet to decide what pets to get my kids as they grow, maybe a dog? maybe a cat? For now, they have a small aquarium of goldfish(es). They're not the most green pets I can think of -- all the water changes it needs to keep them alive within the confines of a small tank. My husband tells me it's a waste. I already use the fish tank to double as a planter for my bamboo stalks. Whenever I change the water, I save the old water to water other plants or flush the toilet. Believe me, I will find more ways to make the best of my not-so-green pets because I cannot bear not to hear the shrieks of joy my young kids let out everytime they feed and watch their little swimming companions. So one day, I was so happy when my kids noticed the birds that adorns the trees surrounding our patio. Birds need water to drink and foot to eat. Feeding birds not only brings a bit of nature to your backyard, it also helps rid the yard of many kinds of bugs. I hang a birdfeeder in the corner of our patio, outside our window. I think a birdbath from which the birds can drink from in my patio is in the future.
Grow A Garden.
I don't know how much a garden I can grow in an apartment. But a garden it is! I've always loved gardens. A garden provides flowers, vegetables, and environmental benefits. It can help to reduce soil erosion and may help to reduce some kinds of air pollution. For now, I have a few potted plants -- tomatoes, peppers, herbs, and some flowering ones. I grow my small garden using no pesticides and chemical fertilizers. I will have to work on expanding to a real garden -- with beds and plots as soon as I can call my backyard my own.
H
Hold On To Balloons.
Helium balloons -- the kind that float up into the sky -- are lots of fun, especially to little kids. My little ones have let a couple be flown away. I did know that helium balloons eventually fall back to earth but I guess I never put much thought that it can be blown by strong winds miles away into the ocean and that they might harm fish and animals. Some sea animals mistake the balloons for jellyfish. When an animal tries to eat a balloon, it can kill the animal. Now, I tell my kids if they have a helium balloon, hold on tight! It's never too young for one to know about the dangers of letting balloons fly away.
I
Insulate Your Home.
I found a lot of energy being wasted right in my own home. One thing I didn't have to worry about is insulation. I can say my home is well-insulated. Properly insulating a home will not only help reduce heating and cooling costs but also make a home more comfortable. Do an energy audit. Then, make a list of the things you believe should be done. Elicit someone's help to detemine what and how much improvements will cost, how much energy will be saved and how much money will be saved in reduced energy bills.
J
Join An Environmental Group.
There are hundreds of good organizations around the country. Most of them have annual membership fees of $25 or less, and some have special rates. Try to find one that focuses on something your are particularly interested in. Go to a meeting, event, or other activity. You'll probably meet others with similar interests as yours. For my part, I decided to join the "blog out loud for going green". I aspire to spark somebody's interest to be green, just like how someone have rekindled my passion for the environment.
K
Keep The Car At Home.
Automobiles are one of the single biggest sources of pollution. I learned that a long long long time ago. I also know that there are other means of transportation, like walking, biking, skateboarding, roller-skating, or taking the bus. However, I cannot imagine myself in a bus. How am I to lug my two toddlers, their two-seater stroller, their messenger bag of essentials (wipes, diapers, packed snacks, sippy cups, etc.), my purse and whatever I might be carrying in result of that errand -- be it the groceries for our evening meal or the kids' library books for the week??? So I've come to the conclusion, that my trusty minivan is still a must. I have, however, cut back on my driving to lower my emission footprint, and saved money with gas prices being so absurdly high. As for public transportation... someday. But not today, or tomorrow, or any day this week.
L
Look At Labels.
I have always practiced reading labels. If the product's ingredients contains something hazardous to my/my family's health, or the environment, I don't buy it, or use it even when it's free. Now, in accordance to my pledge to go as green as I can be, I take an extra step. Since many products' label tell consumers how to contact the manufacturer with questions and comments, I feel free to let them know what's on my mind. In particular, let them know if you've decided to buy or not buy their product for environmental reasons. Companies listen very carefully to what their customers have to say. And if they don't, then they don't need a conscientous consumer's support, I am boycotting that product.
M
Make Scratch Pads.
The facility I work for (yeah, despite being a full-time momma, I go to work, occassionally) goes through tons of paper daily. Many gets dropped to the shredder bin as they take the HIPAA issues to heart. There's still a lot, without confidential information, laying around to be discarded. Here's a good way to recycle paper. When you use a piece of paper on only one side, don't throw it away when you are done with it. Instead, put it in a pile with all of the blank sides surfacing up. When you get a big pile, you can turn the paper into scratch pads. First, get someone to cut the pile of paper in half. Then, staple small batches of paper together into "pads." This is already practiced at my workplace, so I will just have to continue it and refuse buying those sticky notes.
Notify The Authorities.
I believe everybody has contributed to pollution, one way or the other. To be able not to, is to go green! I haven't personally encountered a polluter yet, well, one that really purposely meant to hurt the environment? If I do, then I know I won't think twice about reporting them to the local, state, or federal government. I'm not sure if I'm ready for all those boo-hoos and I certainly won't relish getting shot at, but I do know the world we live in is a fine place worthy to be fighting for.
O
Observe The Three Rs. Refuse, Reuse, and Recycle.
I am a confessed shop-aholic! I love to shop... still shop... and will continue to shop.... I just don't see myself buying nothing at all! So I've decided to do it less often and wisely if I do. I really do try to live by the rules: Refuse what you don't need. Reduce what you do need. Reuse what you can't reduce. Recycle what you can't reuse. Rebuy (buy recycled) whenever possible. I guess I'm a confessed green shop-aholic now!
P
Plant A Tree.
My family recently attended the Annual Cherry Blossom Weekend Festival in Washington, D.C. I fell inlove with this big tree whose feathering branches where filled with cirrus-cloudlike cherry blossoms. It doesn't look like that the entire year but its beauty during spring is captivating and its memory lasts forever. I would very much love to plant a tree of my own and watch it grow throughout the years. As of now, I have a thriving bamboo tree, one I tend to everyday. In the future, I want to see my bamboo tree nestled among other trees, maybe my own cherry blossom tree, and others I know I will plant and grow, shading my garden of fruits and vegetables that I know I will also plant and grow. This is a commitment I would have to fulfill as soon as I have a backyard I can call my own. I really am optimistic! I really am going green!
Q
Quit Throwing Away Batteries.
Even the postal service these days is making more environmentally friendly choices, they have these postage-paid merchandise return labels in the mailboxes the other week. I used them to mail my old cellphones, old PDA, old digital camera, old cd player, empty inkjet cartridges, and old batteries to the Small Electronics Return Center. There are also drop-off boxes at different stores like Walmart. Americans go through more than two billion batteries a year to power such things as radios, calculators, watches, flashlights, and computers. Unfortunately, batteries contain many hazardous materials, which leak into landfills when batteries are thrown away. Many of these dangerous chemicals get into our water supply. There are two ways you can avoid throwing away batteries. One is by using batteries that can be recharged over and over. You should also find out if there are companies in your area that recycle batteries. If you must throw batteries away, do so at a hazardous-waste collection site, if there is one in your area. Still another idea is to send the batteries back to the manufacturers, signifying that you consider used batteries a potential danger. This may encourage companies to begin recycling. In the end, ask yourself whether you really need to use products that require batteries.
R
Reuse A Bag.
Some people believe that bags made of trees -- paper bags, are less harmful to the earth than bags made of chemicals -- plastic bags. I used to be one of them. Little did I know that making both types of bags creates a lot of pollution, and both paper and plastic bags use a lot of resources. Now that I know neither is much better than the other, I've decided not to use any bag at all, or to bring my own bag. The wholesale club I go to doesn't use any so I keep folding crate in my car trunk, along with several canvas bags, purchased for a dollar each at a local grocery store. Most grocery store clerk now ask for my bag when I check out. If you must use a paper or plastic bag, don't throw it away. Try to use the bag over and over, as many times as you can.
S
Support Green Companies.
In light of my desire to reduce my carbon footprint in this world, I made researches and found out that the products I prefer are nowhere near of becoming green. So I have switched to certain brands. In the past, most companies haven't paid much attention to the environment. But now, a growing number are changing the way they do business. Some are changing their products so that they are less wasteful or polluting. Others are encouraging their employees to carpool or to recycle. Still others are helping their local communities improve their environments. These companies deserve all of our support! Whenever you have a choice between supporting one of these green companies or a company that is less green, you should definitely support the greener one.
T
Turn Off The Lights.
I've always practiced this... so much that my kids picked up the habit. They can't sleep unless it's dark, not even with a night light. I've educated them on turning off the lights when they leave the room. They even turn off the computer screen when I forget. I open windows in the morning to let natural light filter in. And I've switched to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). They come in many shapes and sizes now. They're energy efficient and save money in the long run. But they contain small amounts of mercury and few recycling programs exist to handle them. However, the bulbs remain a good choice for the environmentally conscious because the amount of mercury they contain is less than what is generated in the production of the extra electricity required to light an incandescent bulb.
U
Use Recycled Paper.
One can buy toilet paper, paper towels, napkins, writing papers, books, newspapers, and many other things made of recycled paper. There's just no reason why one shouldn't buy recycled paper whenever it is available. Except for the fact that recycled paper cost more. It is so because the market for it now is small. So what's the incentive for spending those extra nickels or even dimes? Because it helps save trees! My husband described our new choice of recycled toilet paper as "sandpaper-y" compared to our "oh sooo soft to the touch" old virgin fiber toilet paper, but we know our back sides can get used to the rough touch, if that's what it takes to save a virgin forest from getting violated.
Seventh Generation, one of the largest recycled producers, estimates that:
*One million trees would be saved if every U.S. household replaced just one 250-count package of virgin fiber napkins with 100 percent recycled ones.
*544,000 trees would be saved by replacing a 70-sheet roll of virgin fiber paper towels.
*424,000 trees would be spared by replacing a 500-sheet roll of virgin fiber toilet paper.
*170,000 trees would be saved by replacing one 175-count box of virgin fiber facial tissue.
*One million trees would be saved if every U.S. household replaced just one 250-count package of virgin fiber napkins with 100 percent recycled ones.
*544,000 trees would be saved by replacing a 70-sheet roll of virgin fiber paper towels.
*424,000 trees would be spared by replacing a 500-sheet roll of virgin fiber toilet paper.
*170,000 trees would be saved by replacing one 175-count box of virgin fiber facial tissue.
V
Visit A Recycling Center.
Last time I visited a recycling center was to drop off things I didn't use, want or need anymore. I haven't been to one lately. I will take the time one of these days to look for the one nearest me. A lot of things can be recycled. As crafty as I can be, I'm sure I can come up with a nice project, one my kids can work with me perhaps. Also, I precycle. Its as simple as bringing my own grocery bags when I go to the supermarket, or by bringing my own mug to the coffee shop or dining in instead of taking out. Choosing glass or aluminum over plastic is precycling, as both glass and aluminum are easier to recycle and create less hazardous waste in their manufacturing.
W
Write a Letter.
Even before I have decided to go green, I have been writing letters to companies or corporations, expressing my concerns or beliefs -- mostly about dissatisfaction of their product or services. In most cases, I've received emails or call-backs from some big wigs apologizing for my awful experience and promising to be better in the future. So I do know that albeit the belief that companies or corporations don't really care to read letters, especially complaints, they do want to know what we think of them. You'd be surprised how much just one letter can do. I read somewhere that according to some experts, if a company or corporation receives just twenty letters on the same subject within a few weeks, they consider the subject high priority. You and your friends can write twenty letters in a few minutes! So, if a company or corporation is doing something that you don't like, write a letter. And encourage your kids or parents and your friends and neighbors, to write letters, too.
X
eXercise Your Rights.
As a human being living on planet Earth, one has the right to clean air and water, a safe environment, and the unspoiled beauties this world has to offer. But with those rights comes responsibilities -- one of which is caring about our planet and making it a healthy, vibrant place for our children and future generations. I don't want to live on a polluted, unhealthy, planet? And I certainly want my kids, grandkids, and their kids' kids to enjoy earth as I've enjoyed it. So I've started making choices, some drastically changed my outlook in life, some didn't even merit a big effort, just plain old common sense!
Y
Yell At A Litterer.
I don't see myself literally yelling at a litterer. On second thought, well, maybe I do. You don't have to yell, but if you do see someone littering, you definitely should say something. Be polite, but state your case. Explain that littering not only is ugly and costs us money (because we have to pay people to pick up the litter and dispose of it), it is also bad for the environment. For my part, I think I will be blogging out loud. I probably will get a few laughs. For sure, some snares or gawking. Hopefully, no one will be shooting at me. But I will do my best to make some people think... or care... or better, act. Hey!!!
Z
Zero In On Specifics.
There's a wide range of environmental problems out there -- acid rain, air pllution, animal cruelty, global warming, hazardous waste, overpopulation, ozone depletion, rain forest destruction, smog, water pollution (did I miss something?) But there are even more solutions. One can be most effective by choosing one or two specific problems to focus on. Don't try to do everything at once. Pick a problem and learn as much about it as you can. Find the individuals and organizations in your area working on the problem and see how you can get involved. And the most important thing is to be committed -- to live by your conviction, not when it's just convenient but especially when it gets tough, to do the best you can do to help save the Earth! That will make you a powerful Green Consumer!
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