I sometimes wonder if besides recycling my trash, if the other "little" things I do add up or make a difference. Here are some of those "little" things I do...
- I don't like using paper towels as it is. But if I do, I reuse them if they are only used to dry an apple, or my hands, etc. And if I use one to cover my plate when I heat it up in the microwave, Andy will reuse it to heat up his dinner. I may even go as far as to then use that same paper towel as my napkin.
- I HATE using baggies. I *had* to throw one away the other day and it killed me. I rarely use baggies but if I do, I reuse that thing as long as I can.
- I reuse a piece of saran wrap used to bring my wrap into work all week long. I have a way of folding it so I know the outside that touches my desk or lunch bag will never touch my food.
- I have actual utensils at work so I don't waste plastic. And if I have to use plastic (like today I had to find a knife), I'll wash it and reuse it.
- I will NOT buy bottled water. Enough said. I can't discuss this topic without getting all fired up.
- I buy my yogurt in the bigger containers because I can't stand the thought of all those little containers filling up landfills. Think about all those little containers on the shelf in the grocery store...oh lord!
- I buy big containers of hand soap and refill soap dispensers rather than throwing away and buying new little plastic soap dispensers.
- I use reusable grocery bags at the store. Any time we end up with plastic bags they are used for scooping litter. And even then, we fill that plastic bag to the rim with cat pees and poops before we throw it out.
- Any food or take out container with a lid, gets reused for something. Those little tins from mints make great containers to hold safety pins in your running gear bag or spare change in your car. Plastic chinese take out containers are great for lunches. And glass jars are good for when you make nut butters, or to store homemade soup, or holding all those random extra buttons that come on your clothing!
- When I can, I try to buy food in containers which I know are recyclable. If there's a #1 or #5, I'll go with the plastic that is recycled in my area. Not always possible, but sometimes there is a choice.
What little things do you do???
Oh, and since I'm talking about this, if you haven't seen "No Impact Man", I highly recommend it. It's about a young couple and their baby attempting to reduce their carbon footprint. You can watch the trailer here. They even go as far as not using toilet paper. I have to admit, that is something I just could not do...but I applaud them for their efforts to this cause.
Here's a picture of a pencil cup I made out of a tonic water bottle for my sister's desk at work. It says, "Bottle Pencils Not Water." :-)
15 comments:
We went paper towel and napkin free in this house (with 5 kids). I bought 50 cheap white wash clothes, and we use them for everything, and then I wash them with my whites.
WOW! that's inspiring. if you can do it with 5 kids i have no excuses!
Oh wow Denise, you are committed! I am so impressed. I do make an effort to reuse as much as possible and recyle everything that can be.. but you've shown me that I could be doing MORE! Awesome post.
Loads of great ideas. I do quite a few of them aleady. Keep up the great work!
I've got you beat! I use a plastic microwave cover that fits over a dish and then you just wash it. I think I know what someone is getting for xmas this year :)
i refuse to buy bottled water, too. what a joke.
look into this company for utensils: www.novaenvirocom.ca
their utensils are biodegradable. i have a set that i have been using at work daily for almost 6 months, and no problems. when they do get worn out, you can COMPOST them....
I use cloth rags to clean counters, I maybe use one roll of paper towels a month. Don't buy sarah wrap, and use baggies sparenly. I dont use microwave food etc either.
We also make our own yogurt. It comes out cheaper and tastes good.
Another thing, we buy milk in glass containers which we can return to the store so they are reused, not just recycled in some glass factory. I like that.
Very impressive! I picked up some great tips here!
This stuff fires me up, too. I hate to throw things away (or what other people throw them away) when I know they can be recycled.
No Impact Man was a really interesting film. The guy was a bit extreme, in my opinion, but definitely offered a lot to think about.
sorry men, but here is one thing i recently did, my sister told me about these, she loves them, they are a little pricey but aside from being environmentally friendly they are also chemical free. www.lunapads.com, i got the teeny ones just to use as "backup"
I freely admit that I and my house could do way better with recycling, but we try. We recycle everything we can out with the trash every week (and hooray for Philly's Recycle Bank! Sort of like shopping for free), we don't use paper towels often (purchased a case of them from BJs three years ago and have only used two rolls) and we don't buy bottled water (in fact, in the fridge right now, I still have two bottles of water handed out at the finish line of two fall races. I don't even know why I took them! Now they are just stitting in there, in case of emergency, I guess!)
I do think that all the little things you do add up to a big difference.
I'm so with you on the bottled water, there are higher standards on tap then on bottled!
Maybe I'll post a picture of my typical workday breakfast/lunch sometime. But you're right on the money.
Other things I do, that you may also do but didn't mention.
Compost - I take home everything I bring with me. No trash. Fruit/veggies and napkins go in the compost at home.
I wash my containers, utencils and mug at home.
I openly criticize people that use Styrofoam anything.
Finally I refuse to even associate with coworkers that eat Healthy Choice meals and the 3 pounds of plastic they throw away each day at lunchtime.
My roomate, who is also just a rude person in general, clearly does not care about the Earth. I use white washable clothes for everything- especially cleaning. She will use a paper towel to clean up one little spot and throw it away! Drives. Me. Insane!
I know I could be better- I use WAY too many baggies (I know, I know...) but I try really hard!
I also don't buy water. I have a Brita. And I use a waterbottle wherever I go.
Not use Toilet Paper? Never!
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