If you are anything like me, you have grown up hearing about the Three R's: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. I think I learned about that concept sometime during my freshman year of high school, although my mother had been teaching me, as well, throughout my childhood. I believe everyone should try to do their part to leave a lighter footprint on this planet. Here are some ways you can do that:
Reduce: commit to using less energy, toxicities, and resources.
•· Turn off water when brushing your teeth.
•· Turn off front porch light during the day.
•· Turn off lights every time you leave a room.
•· Turn off car if idling for more than a couple of minutes.
•· Buy products in bulk with less packaging.
· Collect rainwater in barrels for watering garden or washing car.
•· Pass on the extra napkins, condiments, utensils, etc when eating fast food (especially if you are bringing the food home).
•· Carpool, walk, ride a bike, or take the bus.
•· Buy products with low toxic levels such as paints, cleaners, or other products containing chemicals.
Reuse: commit to using things over and over to save resources.
•· Buy used books, games, clothes, furniture, etc at thrift stores or garage sales.
•· Buy canvas totes to use as grocery bags to reuse over and over.
•· Reuse gift bags (a bag that keeps on givingJ)
•· Buy rechargeable batteries.
•· Buy a personal water container that you can refill with purified water rather than use a new plastic bottle each time. A good one to buy is a My Sigg. Good water to get is Custom Pure, which can be found at PCC.
•· Use your own mug when getting your daily coffee.
•· Use plastic containers that can be used over and over for storing food rather than plastic bags that are thrown away after use.
•· If something is broken (VCR, TV, Computer), rather than throw it away, give it to someone who can repair it.
•· Use cloth napkins.
Recycle: properly dispose of unwanted materials.
•· Donate all used clothing, furniture, books, etc.
•· Recycle glass, plastics, paper products, metal, etc.
•· Make a compost container or worm bin to rid of food waste (or use the city bins).
•· Buy products that contain recyclable materials.
•· Dispose of toxic products correctly (such as light bulbs, batteries, electronics, etc.) Here is a link to Earth 911, which is a good source for finding locations to recycle locally.
Hi Ashley, You have a very good list there. Coming from parents that were so careful with their money that they could squeeze a quarter until it's eyes bulged, I can add a few more that come from my mom:
My mother does not pay the bills on-line, she won't use a computer.
- we also do not use the dishwasher because she thinks it uses too much water
- shut the shower water off while you are shaving your legs.
- use thin towels and wash clothes because they dry faster
- clip food coupons every week to go along with grocery items that are on sale already.
- alway shop before you buy
- always buy a used car
- do not pay too much for anything
As you can guess, if we every have another depression we will know what to do.I remember that when I came and visited my family in S.F in the 70s, there was a great drought and the water usage was limited. I thought it was pretty strange that they have to save the dishwashing water to flush the toilet and water the plants. Now that I moved here, I understand.
Sylvia
You all forgot the moto for saving water as well! "Share a shower!" my personal favorite, entertainment is taking a shower with a 2 year old... Smile despite yourself all day.
"Share a Shower". Good one. Thanks for the tip on where to buy a plastic bottle to refill and reuse.
I buy my house cleaner from a local company and when the bottle is empty I take it over to their house and they refill it for me, at a discount because I am reusing the bottle.
Thanks for all of your great tips!
I do most of these but not all. Cloth napkins is a good idea!
Ashley , I love your concepts as a Father and a relatively newbee to the Green life as we are not in the same market area may I ask how you generate more leads geared at the Green buyer or seller . I live in a awesome place that has a terrific seasonal flow of customers that range from elderly 2nd home purchases and young college students taking advantage of the National Forest. I am looking for other groups and links or ideas on how to reach out to our greener buyer. Thanks and keep up the RRR attitude eventually we get our message out .
Danny,
I am still working on figuring out how to reach the "Green Buyer." So far, my methods have been blogging here on AR, joining eco-friendly groups such as Built Green, NW Ecobuilding Group, etc. I try to go to as many green events as possible to network. I have a website that has local information on green products, building techniques, and health conscious businesses. It is kind of the "Spray and Pray" technique....Good Luck!