After reading countless blogs today (and re-reading my own) that are sharing how they live a green life, I realize that no one out there is writing how to transition into a green life. Speaking from experience, I remember when I started reading about Green Living (mostly to save some $$$), I kept asking myself "well I know what I need to do to live a green life, but how to I transition into it in my current situation. So here is my attempt to help you out!
Green tip #1 - Use reusable bags for grocery shopping
Question: But what about the 100,000,000,000,000 plastic bags that currently reside in a jammed-pack drawer/cabinent?
Answer: Recycle! Some places like Kroger and Meijers will actually have drop off bins at the front entrance at their store for plastic bags. I found this out accidentally on a random shopping trip, drove straight home, collected all my plastic bags and dumped them in the bin. Now you have more space!
RECYCLE RECYCLE RECYCLE, Recycle junk mail
Questions: But what if I live in an apartment and can't create a recycling center for everything?
Answer: Then recycle what you can. use one kitchen cabinet as your recycle "center" for plastics, aluminum, and glass. Get (or re-purpose) a floor basket or bin to serve as your dump station for paper junk. In my apartment, I couldn't put my recycling in front of my apartment door and hope that the recycling gods would carry my gifts away. So, I brought my recycling with me on my bi-weekly grocery trips. For the ones that I can return, I did, for the ones I couldn't (milk containers or big glass bottles), I used the recycling bins that Kroger provided.
Clean with vinegar and baking soda; “Febreeze” your clothes with Vodka; Rinse hair with Apple Cider Vinegar
Question: But what if I already have house cleaners, Febreeze, and clarifying shampoo?
Answer: USE IT UP! The best advice that I read was out of one of my green living books, Green Chic: Saving the Earth in Style, by Christie Matheson,
"Do not-I repeat, do not-got out and replace everything you own, from your makeup to your wardrobe to your furniture, with (theoretically) ecofriendly products. Being ecofriendly means consuming less, not more . . . .The best time to purchase ecofriendly goods is when you need them." (p26)
If you just bought cleaning products, or still have tons of shampoo left, use it up. You are actually being more green if you use up the products (and reuse or recycle what you can) and then go out and buy the ecofriendly options on your next shopping trip!
Whew, OK I'm officially off my Green Living Soap box!
Good Night me friends!
4 comments:
I recycle our plastic bags! I noticed the other day that Target now has spots to recycle them too. I haven't made the switch over to reusable bags yet, but I keep thinking about it.
ooooh, which Target?
I've found that you can pack a lot more food in the reusable bags than you can in regular plastic bags. The trick is remembering to bring them with you. Sometimes I forget, but when my plastic bags get out of control I take them to Meijer and get rid of them.
Also, I use the plastic bags as my lunch box (don't have to worry about airing them out!), and as can liners for my smaller trash bins. Saves money and repurposes the bags!
The Target on Michigan Ave. I also use them for trash can liners. :)
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