Several years ago my husband inspired me to begin recycling. It seemed like an easy thing to do, and I really didn't have a good reason not to. Since then I've incorporated other practices into our daily routines.
We didn't make these changes overnight. I didn't want it to be overwhelming, so we took baby steps. Our family still has things we would like to accomplish, but we've already seen the affects of our efforts. We've inspired our friends and neighbors to make small changes, and our children are learning the importance of making wise decisions that effect our planet.
The following is a list of the changes we've made. My hope is to continue adding to this list as our family learns to be more eco-friendly.
- Carrying reusable bags
- Using recycled toilet paper
- Eliminating paper towels
- Using phosphate-free laundry and dish washing detergent
- Switching our light bulbs
- Using biodegradable trash bags made from corn starch
- Eliminating our junk mail
- Listing items we don't use on Freecycle and Paperback Swap
- Using eco-friendly toothbrushes
- Eliminating sandwich bags
- Choosing safer eco-friendly products for our children
- Turning off our car engines
- Using socks as Swiffers
- "Greening" up our family holidays here, here and here
- Purchasing organic food whenever possible
- Joining a CSA for local produce
- Using vinegar as a natural cleaner
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We've begun using a vinegar solution as well. I love it!
Also, try using cut up t-shirts as rags.
I do all of those things, too. Now, I just want to move out of our old, but charming and beautiful but not energy efficient house and into a WAY more efficient one!
You should add to that list all natural body products for you and your kids. There is a lot of plastic thats wasted from things like shampoo. And the chemicals in our over the counter body products reak havoc on our water systems, lakes and oceans. SO there are a lot of companies that make all natural products and the use glass bottles. Not to mention bisphenol A which is a very harmful chemical that is release by any type of plastic including bottles, they is believed to behavioral and neurological problems in the developing fetus and young children. But have no fear you can change that and oh…. I make all natural products in oh… glass bottles. heehee Our website is going through a big revamp but here is the link
You should add to that list all natural body products for you and your kids. There is a lot of plastic thats wasted from things like shampoo. And the chemicals in our over the counter body products reak havoc on our water systems, lakes and oceans. SO there are a lot of companies that make all natural products and the use glass bottles. Not to mention bisphenol A which is a very harmful chemical that is release by any type of plastic including bottles, they is believed to behavioral and neurological problems in the developing fetus and young children. But have no fear you can change that and oh…. I make all natural products in oh… glass bottles. heehee Our website is going through a big revamp but here is the link
That sounds like a fantastic start. We got a bit extreme and realising that we did not use it gave away our TV set (less electricity, more time). Like you we are looking at what can be done to make small changes (I did that for my slimming attempt too but that's another blog).
I have an added motivation in that we would like to live in communal sufficiency (like self sufficiency but with more people) and want a zero wasted input plan – that means figuring out how (one day) to grow all the ingredients to make one's own soap and other daily items we'd never thought about before. I even researched the subject and discovered the humble conker tree (horse chestnut) can be used to wash clothes.
I've not gotten anywhere near a fraction of all the answers but finding out is proving to be enjoyable.
That sounds like a fantastic start. We got a bit extreme and realising that we did not use it gave away our TV set (less electricity, more time). Like you we are looking at what can be done to make small changes (I did that for my slimming attempt too but that's another blog).
I have an added motivation in that we would like to live in communal sufficiency (like self sufficiency but with more people) and want a zero wasted input plan – that means figuring out how (one day) to grow all the ingredients to make one's own soap and other daily items we'd never thought about before. I even researched the subject and discovered the humble conker tree (horse chestnut) can be used to wash clothes.
I've not gotten anywhere near a fraction of all the answers but finding out is proving to be enjoyable.
wow. I thought something had gone wrong – my comment arrived at a 404 error…