Green Living Challenge: March 2007!

[snozzberry]

We use this thread to post the things we are working on each month to live a greener lifestyle. Feel free to post what you're working on, what you've already mastered, or even the things you're just thinking about working on!

I'll try to keep our roll call in the next post up-to-date but please PM me if I mix something up or miss something entirely.

If you want more green living talk, check out the Green Living Tribe.

A special thanks to rainbowmoon for starting the first ever Green Living Challenge!

Challenge History:
January
February

[snozzberry]

Challenge Roll Call!

Note: I try to group similar goals, so just let me know if I misinterpret anything!

Updated through post 43

Green Mamas
2babybees, anniebee, AuntLavender, Benji'sMom, boobybunny, calicocj, cam&kat's_mom, chloeM, cilantromapuche, Crunchie, Deva33mommy, doulalove, Earth Angel, Earthy Mama, EcoMama7, flatheadjane, frogguruami, G-love, greenmansions, hlkm2e, ItyBty, Jay'smom, Jennisee, kellybelly, kimberlychapman, KKmama, mamaley, Mamatohaleybug, MelanieMC, melissa17s, mousemadeslings, MrsMike, mugglemom, MyLittleWarrior, mystic~mama, New Mama, Nico DeMouse, nina_yyc, ohmtaretu, Pyratekk, QDB, rainbowmoon, scbegonias, Shanna4000, simonboy'smommy, Slabobbin, snowbunny, snozzberry, streuselmama, SweetAfton, swimswamswum, thomlynn, triscuitsmom, Valkyrie9, vannienicole, velochic, whitedoyle, zenenlightened

Working On...

Reduce

• Use clothesline/hang clothes for drying: rainbowmoon, swimswamswum, velochic, mystic~mama, thomlynn, MelanieMC, scbegonias, nina_yyc, Benji'sMom, chloeM, doulalove, boobybunny, Slabobbin, whitedoyle, Jennisee, zenenlightened, New Mama, Jay'smom, cilantromapuche
• Teach DC what wasting energy means: rainbowmoon
• Remind family to not open the fridge, turn lights off when not in use, etc: mousemadeslings
• Turn lights off when leaving a room, even if it's for just a few minutes: kimberlychapman, MyLittleWarrior, hlkm2e, vannienicole, Earth Angel, mousemadeslings, thomlynn, frogguruami, cam&kat's_mom, simonboy'smommy, Deva33mommy, QDB, triscuitsmom, New Mama
• Install a motion sensor light in areas where the lights usually get left on: frogguruami
• Change out lightbulbs to compact fluorescent/energy efficient as they burn out: hlkm2e, Crunchie, mousemadeslings, Shanna4000, 2babybees, frogguruami, cam&kat's_mom, Nico DeMouse, mamaley, Slabobbin, zenenlightened
• Replace inefficient track lighting: scbegonias
• Keep the thermostat set low: streuselmama, Mamatohaleybug, doulalove, 2babybees, simonboy'smommy, Slabobbin, triscuitsmom, zenenlightened
• Look into aerators: EcoMama7
• Use natural light as much as possible: SweetAfton, MelanieMC, mamaley
• Reduce junk mail: SweetAfton, Earth Angel, greenmansions, KKmama, frogguruami
• Put appliances on a power strip for easy on/off or unplug when not in use: 2babybees, calicocj
• Turn computer off when not in use: Valkyrie9
• Turn water off while brushing teeth: hlkm2e
• Use less paper products: Crunchie, Slabobbin
• Less TV: vannienicole, calicocj
• Rinse dishes immediately after using them: vannienicole
• Reuse/rewear linens/clothes that aren't dirty: Earth Angel, Mamatohaleybug
• If it's yellow, let it mellow: Mamatohaleybug, MelanieMC
• Decrease garbage: mugglemom, doulalove, thomlynn, snowbunny, Deva33mommy, Slabobbin
• Be more mindful of how much water we're using: mystic~mama
• Handwash dishes: thomlynn
• Sweep daily so vacuuming isn't as necessary: thomlynn
• Shut down/unplug appliances when not in use: MelanieMC
• Research a wood stove: Jennisee
• Investigate cheap/free sources of firewood for the woodburner: mugglemom
• Research for a new energy efficient hot water heater: 2babybees
• Fix a water leak: scbegonias
• Encourage family to take shorter showers: scbegonias
• Knit/crochet items instead of buying new items: frogguruami
• Insulate the attic: frogguruami
• Use a spray bottle to wet baby wipes: nina_yyc
• Use a cup for toothbrushing instead of running the tap: nina_yyc
• Have 2 trash cans (one for paper and one for plastics): simonboy'smommy
• Do only full loads of laundry: triscuitsmom
• Work on items found in energy audit: KKmama
• Turn off freezer during spring/summer: cilantromapuche

Reuse

• Use canvas bags when shopping or get more canvas bags: MyLittleWarrior, G-love, vannienicole, ItyBty, mugglemom, greenmansions, MelanieMC, cam&kat's_mom, Benji'sMom, simonboy'smommy, Valkyrie9, chloeM, Deva33mommy, Slabobbin, cilantromapuche
• Use basket when shopping: boobybunny
• Take in no new plastic bags: calicocj
• Eliminate all disposable plates, cups, and silverware: SweetAfton, ItyBty, Jay'smom
• Use cloth hankies and not tissues or increase their use: rainbowmoon, Earth Angel, scbegonias, simonboy'smommy
• Use cloth napkins: SweetAfton, calicocj, snozzberry, ItyBty, MrsMike
• Switch to cloth mama pads or increase their use: MyLittleWarrior, anniebee, ItyBty, MrsMike, Shanna4000, Jennisee, chloeM
• Sew mama cloths with old towels/pajamas: mugglemom
• Switch to a diva cup/keeper: Pyratekk
• Switch to cloth tp/family cloth or increase its use: Jennisee, 2babybees, cam&kat's_mom, New Mama
• Cut down on tp usage: mystic~mama
• Buy only recycled tp for non-cloth tp family or visitors: Jennisee
• Switch to cloth diapers/increase their use: Pyratekk, hlkm2e, Crunchie, MrsMike, simonboy'smommy, cilantromapuche
• Switch to cloth wipes: greenmansions, mystic~mama
• Sew cloth training pants: Slabobbin
• Stop using paper towels/switch to reusable linens: G-love, calicocj, MrsMike, velochic, doulalove, 2babybees, scbegonias, simonboy'smommy, mamaley, Slabobbin
• Cut up rags for daily sink and toilet wipe down (no more clorox wipes): simonboy'smommy
• Rinse/reuse plastic bags for food storage/freezing: whitedoyle
• Find new ways to reuse what we have: mystic~mama
• Reuse grey water: thomlynn
• Buy recycled garbage bags: rainbowmoon, doulalove
• Make own wine and reuse wine bottles: frogguruami
• Collect plastic grocery bags from friends and cut into strips to weave into reusable bags: frogguruami
• Search for items around the house that can be gardening containers instead of buying new items: frogguruami
• Finish wardrobe refashion projects: snowbunny
• Buy milk in returnable bottles: whitedoyle
• Figure out under-sink storage for cloth tp/mama cloth/hankies: Jennisee
• Reuse old windows: ohmtaretu

Recycle

• Recycle more diligently at home: rainbowmoon, Jennisee, MrsMike, snowbunny, simonboy'smommy, mamaley, Slabobbin
• Recycle at work: Benji'sMom
• Take plastic bags to store for recycling: simonboy'smommy
• Pick up recyclables on the ground: mystic~mama
• Sort/store trash for recycling: melissa17s
• Set up a better organization system for recycling: snowbunny

Simplify

• Simplify, declutter, donate, repurpose: MyLittleWarrior, Crunchie, vannienicole, Earth Angel, anniebee, mousemadeslings, MrsMike, melissa17s, mystic~mama, thomlynn, MelanieMC, Jennisee, 2babybees, KKmama, Benji'sMom, simonboy'smommy, EcoMama7, flatheadjane, zenenlightened, New Mama
• Don't buy anything new unless absolutely necessary/only buy necessities: MyLittleWarrior, vannienicole, Mamatohaleybug, whitedoyle, KKmama, Benji'sMom
• Think before buying (Do I really need this? Can I make it? How will I have to dispose of it some day?): simonboy'smommy
• Have a no-buy week: doulalove, MrsMike
• Shop at thrift stores more often: Crunchie
• Buy items to make from scratch rather than premade: whitedoyle
• Buy more in bulk: doulalove, cam&kat's_mom, Deva33mommy
• Make more purchases locally, from small stores and/or avoid big box stores: Jennisee

Safe Home and Body Care

• Buy a more natural soap for hand washing: SweetAfton
• Switch to all natural and/or homemade body care products: Pyratekk, mousemadeslings, ItyBty, KKmama, nina_yyc, zenenlightened, Jennisee
• Switch to earth-friendly/homemade cleaners: doulalove, G-love, mousemadeslings, SweetAfton, ItyBty, greenmansions, MrsMike, nina_yyc, simonboy'smommy, cilantromapuche
• Get rid of particleboard furniture in the house: snozzberry
• Replace all Teflon pots and pans with stainless and cast iron: ItyBty
• Replace plastic tupperware with glass storage containers: whitedoyle, kellybelly
• Switch to non-toxic cat litter: doulalove, Jennisee
• Use all natural air fresheners: chloeM
• Use butcher paper and tape instead of plastic bags: boobybunny
• Cut down on bleach use: boobybunny
• Rid home of all chemicals: zenenlightened
• Rid home of all plastics: zenenlightened
• Use more homeopathic remedies: zenenlightened
• Buy houseplants to help clean the inside air: snozzberry

Food/Gardening

• Compost, compost more, or improve composting setup: calicocj, Mamatohaleybug, ItyBty, Shanna4000, velochic, Jennisee, simonboy'smommy, Slabobbin, ohmtaretu, cilantromapuche
• Research composting: MelanieMC, 2babybees, triscuitsmom
• Build a worm bin: mugglemom
• Get ready for/research/start gardening: hlkm2e, Crunchie, swimswamswum, MelanieMC, scbegonias, calicocj, mugglemom, simonboy'smommy, Valkyrie9, cam&kat's_mom, QDB, zenenlightened, Jay'smom
• Start an herb garden: zenenlightened
• Eat more (or all) organic/natural: Pyratekk, mousemadeslings, Nico DeMouse, chloeM, boobybunny
• Budget to afford more organic: thomlynn
• Eat more raw: mousemadeslings
• Buy produce at farmer's markets: Earthy Mama, triscuitsmom
• Buy local foods when it's an option: greenmansions, chloeM, Deva33mommy, QDB, cilantromapuche
• Buy whole foods with minimal packaging: cam&kat's_mom, chloeM, Deva33mommy
• Buy more fresh produce: triscuitsmom
• Keep foods with additives out of the house: Deva33mommy
• Eat at home more/eat out less: mamaley, triscuitsmom
• Learn about eating in a way that's good for the environment: mamaley
• Reduce grocery spending: MrsMike
• Reduce amount of junk/highly processed foods bought: MrsMike
• Eat vegetarian more often: frogguruami, boobybunny, Slabobbin, Jay'smom, mamaley
• Switch pets to better food: MrsMike, MelanieMC
• Research CSA (community-supported agriculture) and join: hlkm2e, calicocj
• Make homemade yogurt: G-love
• Breastfeed: Crunchie
• Can, dry, and freeze more food: Crunchie, simonboy'smommy
• Limit water used for gardening (use rain barrels, bath water, etc): Earthy Mama
• Make garden bigger/plant more things: ItyBty, rainbowmoon
• Make homemade pizza: thomlynn
• Make own bread products: frogguruami, Nico DeMouse
• Give up Annie's addiction: boobybunny
• Find an easy yogurt recipe that kids will eat: Slabobbin
• Practice green lawn care (use reel mower, pull weeds manually, no herbicides or weed 'n feed): kellybelly
• Come up with a green solution for fire ants: kellybelly

Transportation

• Walk more, drive less: ItyBty, mugglemom, whitedoyle, QDB, triscuitsmom
• Take the bus more instead of driving: SweetAfton, vannienicole, triscuitsmom
• Ride bike more often/use trailer for packages and kids: swimswamswum, boobybunny, QDB
• Have no-drive days every month: snowbunny
• Check tire pressure monthly to improve mileage: mugglemom
• Offset carbon emissions for trips: kimberlychapman
• Combine errands and drive less: rainbowmoon, mamaley, boobybunny, Slabobbin
• Take a train trip instead of driving: mugglemom
• Track mileage in preparation for reducing driving: Nico DeMouse
• Research a fuel-efficient, used car: Jennisee

Etc

• Go to a Sierra Club meeting: nina_yyc
• Write to representatives about green issues: nina_yyc
• Write one letter a week to an elected official: snowbunny
• Be greener for birthdays (wrapping paper, plastic presents, etc): mystic~mama

: Mulling over for the Future

Reduce

• Change out lightbulbs to compact fluorescent: Pyratekk
• When regular heat pump goes, get a geothermal heat pump: boobybunny

Reuse

• Start using only reusable bags for groceries and other places: Pyratekk
• Consider hankies: doulalove
• Switch to a diva cup/keeper: doulalove
• Switch to cloth tp/family cloth: KKmama

Safe Home and Body Care

• Use more green/recycled building materials and furnishings: greenmansions

Food/Gardening

• Practice native gardening and limit watering: doulalove
• Increase size of organic veggie garden & plant some fruit trees: doulalove
• Plant a few flowering trees: doulalove
• Become a vegetarian: Pyratekk
• Cut other ickies out of food besides HFCS and (P)HO: Pyratekk
• Grow a couple of things: Pyratekk

Transportation

• Replace car with a hybrid: greenmansions, simonboy'smommy

Check!

Reduce

• Using clothesline/hanging clothes for drying: Jennisee, swimswamswum
• Switched lightbulbs to compact fluorescent/efficient: swimswamswum, whitedoyle, scbegonias, doulalove, boobybunny, Earthy Mama
• Put appliances on a power strip for easy on/off: doulalove
• Reducing junk mail (a lifetime process): doulalove
• Got off credit card offer lists: greenmansions
• Using a wood-burning furnace with trees that have been felled by natural forces: Crunchie
• Microwaving instead of starting the oven/stove to warm things up: swimswamswum
• Turning lights off when leaving a room: swimswamswum
• Using natural light as much as possible: snozzberry
• Keeping thermostat low or turning way down at night/when gone: swimswamswum, whitedoyle, boobybunny, Jay'smom
• Unplugging unused appliances: swimswamswum
• Turning off computer overnight: whitedoyle
• Configured automatic hibernation settings for the computer: snozzberry
• Reuse/rewear linens/clothes that aren't dirty: swimswamswum, Slabobbin
• Spinning laundry again before moving to the dryer to save on dry time: whitedoyle
• Replaced furnace/appliances: greenmansions
• Installed low-e windows with fiberglass frames: greenmansions
• Reminding family to not open the fridge, turn lights off when not in use, etc: EcoMama7
• Taking fewer baths: EcoMama7
• Handwashing dishes when possible: EcoMama7, nina_yyc
• Developed a routine for shutting down electronics at night: mousemadeslings
• If it's yellow, letting it mellow: scbegonias, snozzberry
• Has a no-TV/computer week: cam&kat's_mom
• Calculated how much energy appliances are using and consider replacing them with more efficient models: Jennisee
• Signed a contract on a photovoltaic system: KKmama
• Installed a solar water heater: boobybunny
• Not using the microwave or don't own one: Slabobbin, zenenlightened
• Using rechargable batteries for everything that takes batteries: Slabobbin, zenenlightened
• Replaced main bathtub faucet/spigot with a water-saving showerhead to ease shallow baths: ohmtaretu
• Installed an efficient and clean-burning wood stove: ohmtaretu
• Added UV film to windows to cut down on sun exposure: boobybunny

Reuse

• Using cloth napkins/towels: EcoMama7, doulalove, swimswamswum, whitedoyle, greenmansions, thomlynn, Deva33mommy, kellybelly
• Using cloth hankies: swimswamswum, whitedoyle, thomlynn
• Using cloth tp/family cloth: doulalove, anniebee, mousemadeslings, scbegonias, frogguruami, kellybelly, greenmansions
• Using canvas bags when shopping: doulalove, Crunchie, swimswamswum, snozzberry, EcoMama7, whitedoyle, mousemadeslings, Shanna4000, scbegonias, greenmansions, kellybelly
• Reusing produce bags: greenmansions
• Packing lunches with re-usable materials and water bottles: swimswamswum
• Bringing coffee/tea from home in reusable mugs: swimswamswum
• Using diva cup/cloth mama pads: Crunchie, swimswamswum, whitedoyle, greenmansions, EcoMama7, simonboy'smommy, Slabobbin, kellybelly
• Using cloth diapers/increased their use: whitedoyle, cam&kat's_mom, boobybunny, Slabobbin, triscuitsmom, greenmansions
• Using cloth wipes: anniebee, cam&kat's_mom, Slabobbin
• Using the library more: Shanna4000, snozzberry
• Using paper bags for trashing kitty litter: scbegonias
• Converted old trash cans into compost bins instead of buying new bins: frogguruami
• Buying milk in returnable bottles: simonboy'smommy
• Used a reusable Teflon-coated paint roller pan: whitedoyle
• Limiting tp use to 2 sheets each time: Deva33mommy
• Using the back side of paper as scratch paper at home and work: snozzberry
• Taking plastic bags from the recycle bin at the grocery store to use as poop bags for dog walks: snozzberry
• Installed a reusable air filter for AC/heating system: snozzberry

Recycle

• Recycling anything possible: Crunchie, snozzberry, whitedoyle, simonboy'smommy, cam&kat's_mom, Deva33mommy, Earthy Mama, triscuitsmom, zenenlightened
• Using recycled paper goods: snozzberry

Simplify

• Simplifying, decluttering, donating: scbegonias, frogguruami
• Buying all clothes secondhand or making them: Earthy Mama, Slabobbin, Jay'smom
• Buying used/secondhand: streuselmama, Slabobbin, zenenlightened
• Using freecycle when possible: Slabobbin, zenenlightened
• Not buying too much: streuselmama
• Buying in bulk when possible: Slabobbin
• Making more purchases locally, from small stores and/or avoiding big box stores: scbegonias, whitedoyle
• Has a no-buy week: cam&kat's_mom

Safe Home and Body Care

• Used low/no-VOC eco-friendly paint: doulalove, snozzberry
• Using natural cleaning products: Crunchie, snozzberry, thomlynn, Slabobbin, zenenlightened, kellybelly
• Replaced Teflon pots and pans with cast iron or stainless steel pots and pans: snozzberry, greenmansions
• Replaced plastic tupperware with glass storage containers: snozzberry, greenmansions
• Washing face with honey: snozzberry
• Replaced mattress with natural latex mattress: snozzberry
• Switched to non-plastic water bottles: snozzberry
• Switched to all natural body care products: snozzberry, Slabobbin, kellybelly
• Reduced overall use of plastic: greenmansions
• No-pooing (using alternatives to shampoo and less frequently): frogguruami, Deva33mommy, snozzberry (DH)
• Using non-toxic cat litter: Slabobbin, snozzberry
• Using unbleached parchment paper and unbleached waxed paper bags instead of plastic bags: Slabobbin
• Got rid of all plastic possible (toys, storage bins, kitchen items, etc): Slabobbin
• Buying only natural fiber clothes and other items when possible: Slabobbin, Jay'smom
• Using homeopathics and prevention: Slabobbin
• Making Kombucha to try to stay healthy: Slabobbin

Food/Gardening

• Composting: doulalove, Crunchie, swimswamswum, whitedoyle, greenmansions, thomlynn, frogguruami, simonboy'smommy, Deva33mommy, Earthy Mama
• Built a worm bin: ohmtaretu
• Gardening: thomlynn, frogguruami, Jennisee, boobybunny, Earthy Mama, Slabobbin
• Getting fruits, nuts, and herbs from garden: Slabobbin
• Eating vegetarian/vegan: Crunchie, snozzberry, vannienicole, Earthy Mama, triscuitsmom, zenenlightened
• Eating vegetarian some of the time: swimswamswum, nina_yyc
• Eating a lot of organic: Crunchie, snozzberry, EcoMama7, thomlynn
• Eating more raw: EcoMama7
• Eating out only once in a while: snozzberry
• Never eating out: zenenlightened
• Cooking from scratch as much as possible: Crunchie
• Keeping goats for milk: Crunchie
• Getting raw milk from a friend with a cow: Slabobbin
• Keeping hens for eggs or getting eggs locally: Crunchie, Earthy Mama
• Buying local when it's an option: swimswamswum, thomlynn, boobybunny, kellybelly
• Buying whole foods with minimal packaging: Earthy Mama
• Buying produce at farmer's markets: AuntLavender, boobybunny, Slabobbin
• Joined a CSA: EcoMama7
• Canning, drying, and freezing food: Earthy Mama, Slabobbin
• Making own bread products: Slabobbin
• Making own food when possible (jelly, relish, mustard, etc): Slabobbin
• Breastfeeding: boobybunny, triscuitsmom
• Switched pets to better food: snozzberry
• Contacted companies whose canned products we buy to find out if they're lead-free and bisphenol-A-free: snozzberry

Transportation

• Walking for most errands or combining errands if driving: streuselmama, whitedoyle, AuntLavender, Earthy Mama
• Offset car's carbon footprint: doulalove
• Offset carbon emissions for trips: Jennisee
• Driving a small/fuel-efficient car: Crunchie, snozzberry, Earthy Mama
• Replaced car with a hybrid: boobybunny
• Walking/carpooling when it's an option: swimswamswum, EcoMama7, simonboy'smommy, boobybunny
• Driving as little as possible: vannienicole
• Not driving at all: triscuitsmom
• Started a carpooling group at eRideShare: snozzberry
• Taking the bus more instead of driving: greenmansions, boobybunny
• Riding bike more often: scbegonias, boobybunny
• Driving easier: doulalove
• Converted diesel vehicle to run on used vegetable oil: flatheadjane
• Planning grocery trips so only going 1-2 times a month: Slabobbin, zenenlightened
• Using a personal grocery cart to walk instead of drive: nina_yyc

Etc

• Participating in utility company's green energy program: snozzberry
• Got children's books to encourage DC to follow in footsteps: doulalove
• Offset family's carbon footprint: snozzberry
• Wrote to representatives about cutting tax breaks for the oil companies and using the money to fund alternative energy and tax credits for people and businesses that install energy upgrades, buy efficient cars, etc: Jennisee
• Writing a Green Living article for the internal weekly newsletter at work: snozzberry
• Donated a subscription to Mothering and a copy of An Inconvenient Truth to local library: Jennisee
• Wrote a letter to grocery store asking them to charge for disposable bags and/or offer a credit for bringing reusable bags: snozzberry

[boobybunny]

okay, I think I have the general idea.

What we have done

Changed out the light bulbs (took about a year) did it as they burned out. (still have the big old heat lamp in bathroom.... you can have that one when I die)
Traded old car for Hybrid escape (may of last year)
Husband currently riding bike or riding bus to work.. he is working on an EV MR2 for his transport and fun.
Solar water heater (dec of 2005)
cloth diapers
breastfeeding
thermostat at 65
local meat, local butcher
farmers market for what I don't grow
milk from local dairy
Carpool kiddos pick up from school.



What I need to work on this next month.

using the dry rack inside the house, rely less on dryer.
less meat in dinners
give up my Annie's addiction
organic butter
use butcher paper and tape instead of ziplocs
cut down on my bleach use. (we live in the NW and the mold in bathrooms is horrid)
use my ghanya basket for super market trips, not just the farmers market.
Plan my driving trips to get my mileage down to <80 miles a week.
Ride bike, use trailer for youngest kiddo and groceries.


Goal for when the heat pump goes out....
Geo thermal heat pump.

[QDB]

Solar water heater

subbing....and a few questions....

Dh and I were just talking about solar water heaters tonight - our water heater is on its way out...what advice do you have about them?

Also, do all energy efficient lightbulbs contain mercury? I was all paralyzed in home depot the other day trying to buy light bulbs! I don't want to contribute to environmental mercury...but don't want to use excess energy!! :

someone help me

otherwise...
I am planning my garden
buy local meat and milk
dh is starting to bike to work
i walk to the coop
i am getting better at turning the lights out when i leave a room!

[Earthy Mama]

I'm joining in this month!

What I am doing:
~vegan (though everyone else are ravenous meat eaters)
~changed out light bulbs
~buy low packaged foods
~recycle
~compost
~garden for most produce
~Can and freeze
~Not a hybrid car, but vw golf gets 30-40 mpg
~buy all clothes second hand or make them myself
~buy eggs for the family from my neighbor who raises organic chickens (only $1.25/dozen!!)

What I need to do:
~Make it to the farmer's market-it's so far away though....
~Make less trips into town...
~Figure out how to use less water gardening this summer (here in SC, things cook if you don't use tons of water), try to buy some rain barrels and use bath water

[Slabobbin]

WHAT I AM DOING:

~ Getting raw milk from a friend with a cow

~ Doing a huge garden this year with family

~ We have fruit trees (apple, apricot, peach) and nut trees (pecan, walnut) and plants (strawberry, blueberry)

~ We have an herb garden

~ Make our own bread and pretty much everything else from scratch (butter, crackers, etc.)

~ Canning and freezing food from garden

~ Making my own when I can (making my own jelly, relish, mustard, etc.)

~ Not using my microwave (I have turned it into an extra cabinet)

~ Searching thrift stores and ebay before even thinking about buying something new. Sometimes waiting for things that we want until we can find them used.

~ Using Freecycle when applicable

~ Use pine cat litter

~ Buy in bulk whenever possible

~ Putting in energy efficient light bulbs as they burn out

~ Switching to unbleached parchment paper and unbleached waxed paper bags instead of plastic wrap

~ Officially got rid of every chemical in my home except for the dish washer detergent (have read that it can actually be more efficient to use a DW than to wash by hand so am doing more research on that. I need to find a natural DW liquid that works with our water). We use Ivory soap, baking soda, vinegar and Dr. Bronners for every thing in our home (including cleaning, washing and personal bathing). The exceptions are DH's shaving soap which is homemade and all natural and the kid's hair soap which is Burt's Bees).

~ Have gotten rid of every bit of plastic that it is possible to get rid of, including toys, storage bins, kitchen, etc. We still have the plastic computer key board, the plastic on the telephones, etc. You can't get rid of it all or I wouldn't be able to post here, lol.

~ Buy all clothing at thrift stores or make it (preferrably with fabric purchased from thrift stores).

~ Cloth diapers

~ Trying to switch everything in the house and all of our clothing to natural fibers. We look for the 100% cotton on the label and avoid polyester, etc.

~ Use the local farmer's market for what we don't grow

~ Use homeopathics and prevention

~ Make Kombucha to try to stay healthy

~ Plan groceries on a monthly deal so that we are only going to the store once, maybe twice and we shop in bulk and on sale and at the close out stores so we get a LOT of food for way less than we ever thought possible

~ Re-wear clothes when they are not stinky or dirty (pretty impossible for the kids but works well with my jeans and skirts)

~ Switching to rechargable batteries for pretty much everything in our home that takes batteries

WHAT I WANT TO DO:

~ Start a compost pile

~ Recycle - there are no recycling places in my area so I am going to have to find a way to do this

~ Work on my thermostat adjustment. I am horrible about turning it up or down instead of just putting on or taking off clothing.

~ Sew some cloth training pants for DD (I am still new to sewing so I am learning). We did cloth all the day up and then she potty trained herself. We put all the diapers up and thought we were done. Then after about two months she decided she was done with potty and started going in her pants again. I doubt that the diapers would fit anymore (they were getting very snug back then) so I took the easy way out and bought some pull ups thinking this would be a temporary thing. It looks like it is going to be a long term thing though so I need a different plan.

~ Start taking my own bags to stores. I DO re-use the plastic ones though. I will need to find an alternative to all of the things I re-use the plastic bags for.

~ I would like to walk to more places but we live waaaay out in the boonies so I'm not sure how this would be feasable. Nor do we have public transportation. I guess I just need to plan trips to do as many things as possible in one trip instead.

~ I would love to do organic meat but right now it is so cost prohibitive so we should just do *less* meat instead.

~ Start hanging clothes out more rather than using the dryer

~ Get rid of paper towels - this one is going to be a hard one for me. We use cloth wipes for the baby and I use cloth mama pads but I use paper towels for the gross things that I don't want to deal with, like cleaning up dog vomit, etc. How do those of you who have done away with paper towels deal with things like that?

~ Stop accumulating so much garbage!! For a family who doesn't buy very many pre-packages things (try to buy in bulk and don't do processed foods) we have SO much garbage! My husband pretty much has to take out the garbage daily and he usually gets two large bags full (the kitchen bag and then a bag from all of the small cans in the house). I have read where some people only have one bag a week or less. I guess I need to start an inventory of what I throw away and see where the problem lies.

~ Use less paper. The amount of paper I use is ridiculous! I have often printed off stuff for my mystery shopping assignments and ended up throwing 98% of it away. I am also constantly making "to do" lists or making notes and then throwing away the paper.

~ Find an easy yoghurt recipe that my kids will eat

[boobybunny]

I was in the restaurant industry before staying home. So I use bar towels for everything. I have.... umm maybe 100 of them. I end up washing them about once a week, in hot..(with bleach : ) during the winter, but during the summer I just wash them, and line dry, they turn out nice and white. I have a bucket that I throw them into after rinsing most of the yuckiest stuff off. (or if I know I am going to wash them later that day I just throw them in)

Solar water heater.... panels on the roof, total set up cost was about 3K, 1500.00 state tax credit and 0% interest from our utility company.. I think it has paid for itself at this point. It cut our electric bill by about 40 bucks a month. I clothe diap, so VERY hot water washes are needed every three days.

[quelindo]

Originally Posted by boobybunny

Solar water heater.... panels on the roof, total set up cost was about 3K, 1500.00 state tax credit and 0% interest from our utility company.. I think it has paid for itself at this point. It cut our electric bill by about 40 bucks a month. I clothe diap, so VERY hot water washes are needed every three days.

Does the roof have to be south-facing? And do you have to live in an area that gets lots of sun?

We just moved and have a big garage with a south-facing roof. I know NOTHING about this stuff, but I fantasize about having solar panels generating electricity for an electric car.

Will chime in with my goals when I'm no longer listening to DS whine and can hear myself think...

[triscuitsmom]

WOW I think you ladies are my new heroes.

I took the ecological footprint tonight and my results were not where I want them. So I look to you all for some encouragement.

So far I am/do:
-strict vegetarian
-breastfeeding (still exclusively)
-cloth diapering (exclusively)
-I don't drive
-we recycle everything we can

I need to
-pay more attention to turning off lights when I'm not in the room
-make sure I only do full loads of laundry so that I'm not wasting water
-walk and take the bus even more than I do (rely less on my Mom to drive us)
-turn thermostat down a few degrees
-go to the farmers market
-buy more fresh produce
-eat out less (this will be hard, but it's so important to me as it's wasteful not only in money but we inevitably bring home garbage in the form of leftover containers too)
-compost: I have to look into this, I have no idea how hard it would be to set this up

I'm sure there is more I'm not thinking of. I will definitely be checking into this thread for ideas/support/encouragement.

[whitedoyle]

Really just subbing

In addition to things mentioned in past threads, we are redoubleing the indoor drying. I got two more racks ans now have clothes all over the LR!

[Jennisee]

subbing

[KKmama]

Originally Posted by QDB

Also, do all energy efficient lightbulbs contain mercury? I was all paralyzed in home depot the other day trying to buy light bulbs! I don't want to contribute to environmental mercury...but don't want to use excess energy!! :

someone help me

Most electricity in this country is generated by burning coal, and at least where I live, there's mercury in the coal, and it winds up in the rivers. At least if you get compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs), my understanding is that the mercury can be recycled/handled safely, as opposed to the mercury from the power plants.

We had an energy audit last fall. I guess my thing this month will be to keep working on completing the tasks in that list.

[insahmniak]

Originally Posted by QDB

Also, do all energy efficient lightbulbs contain mercury? I was all paralyzed in home depot the other day trying to buy light bulbs! I don't want to contribute to environmental mercury...but don't want to use excess energy!! :

someone help me

From http://www.eartheasy.com/live_energy...ghting.htm#led :

Compact fluorescent bulbs contain small amounts of mercury. The mercury poses no threat while in the bulb, but if you break one be careful not to inhale the mercury - immediately use a wet rag to clean it up and put all of the pieces, and the rag, into a plastic bag.

Although household CFL bulbs may legally be disposed of with regular trash (in the US), they are categorized as household hazardous waste. As long as the waste is sent to a modern municipal landfill, the hazard to the environment is limited. However, CFL's should not be sent to an incinerator, which would disperse the mercury into the atmosphere.

The best solution is to save spent CFL's for a community household hazardous waste collection, which would then send the bulbs to facilities capable of treating, recovering or recycling them. For more information on CFL disposal or recycling, you can contact your local municipality.

Although CFL's have these handling and disposal issues, the large energy savings of CFL bulbs compared to incandescents is of greater overall environmental benefit.

My in-laws recently had an experience where a CF in a lamp exploded on them and gave the most toxic-smelling smoke. Horrible, they said. It worried them, and now has me a bit concerned.

Try LED's. I have a friend who has gotten some off ebay for $12, I think. They last forEver, lots of purty colors, and have a fraction of the electrical draw that even a compact fluorescent does. And no mercury in LEDs... as far as I know.

[insahmniak]

Reduce water and energy use...

Here's something we just did....

We unscrewed and removed the main bathtub faucet/spigot and replaced it with a water-saving showerhead we had laying around. The changeout took oh, twenty seconds at most, and we didn't buy a thing.

I take a full-on shower maybe once a week. But other times I use a shallow pan in the tub for a quick cleaning of face, hair and privates. Having a showerhead reduces flow, of course, and sprays the water farther out into the tub so I'm not crouching in cramped quarters anymore. It makes rinsing hair much easier than under a regular spigot. I think I use maybe two gallons and get very clean this way. That's like a two-minute shower, but somehow I feel much cleaner - maybe because I concentrate the water on the places that matter to me.

I love it. Green and Easy.

[KKmama]

Originally Posted by ohmtaretu

Try LED's. I have a friend who has gotten some off ebay for $12, I think. They last forEver, lots of purty colors, and have a fraction of the electrical draw that even a compact fluorescent does. And no mercury in LEDs... as far as I know.

It's my understanding that LEDs (light emitting diodes) in the form of "light bulbs" are just starting to become available. And they are super expensive. I can't imagine that the $12 bulbs would be outputting enough light. However, they're supposed to be fairly indestructible and to have very long lifetimes (I've heard > 30 yrs). Check this out.

[boobybunny]

Originally Posted by New Mama

Does the roof have to be south-facing? And do you have to live in an area that gets lots of sun?

We just moved and have a big garage with a south-facing roof. I know NOTHING about this stuff, but I fantasize about having solar panels generating electricity for an electric car.

Will chime in with my goals when I'm no longer listening to DS whine and can hear myself think...

Best is south facing, we are in Eugene, Ore. Not known for it's abundance of sunny days.

[Jennisee]

I enjoyed this challenge very much last month. It has become important to me to live more greenly and be better to the earth, but I know I have so far yet to go. My goals for this month:

--Research natural cat litters and switch.

--Get DD and I close to 100% cloth TP usage (about 80-90% now) and buy DH only recycled paper TP.

--Hang laundry to dry more often.

--If the weather warms up, start my compost pile.

--Continue working on the garden and orchard.

--Get final estimate on installing a wood stove.

--We will probably have to replace a car this year, so we need to research a good used car that is fuel efficient, safe, reliable, and under $10,000.

--Buy CFL bulbs from the local hardware this week while they're on sale. DONE

--Avoid Big Box stores as much as possible--buy local, secondhand, farmer, WAHM, small business, artisan, etc.

--Declutter, declutter, declutter. Get unused items out of here so that others may use them.

--Figure out the greenest way to acquire the following:

• drying rack DONE
• pallets for compost bin
• kitchen compost crock,
• under-sink storage for cloth TP/mama cloth/handkerchiefs/etc.

[insahmniak]

Wow, Jennisee! Your list is nearly identical to ours!

We just put in an efficient and clean-burning woodstove. Today! My DP pinched a nerve in his back pulling the old one out -- so take care! New one replaces an old ineffecient one, and hopefully will replace our use of the furnace. We're so excited to be more connected to our heat. Everything from collecting the wood (hopefully standing dead from nearby forest and reclaimed scraps from construction dumpsters) to adding the ash to the compost pile. Goodbye gas company! Hello clothes drying by the fire and a cuppa tea at our fingertips!

We're looking for pallets to build a compost pile, too. Right now we just pile it in one corner of the garden. We just started an indoor worm bin, and I would eventually like to add worms to our outdoor compost.

We have some huge old windows just waiting to be reused, and I'm toying with the idea of a building a greenhouse with them.

Our old car is limping along, too. In considering a replacement, I have a hard time balancing safety with efficiency - stats about auto injuries are sobering to me. We don't drive much, so we're keeping the car limping along for now. DP bicycle/walk commutes, and I live at work (SAHM). We could get by for a while w/o a car, I'm sure. The thought of it makes me want to attempt a carfree life for a while....as an experiment - maybe blog it. I'd like to see how hard it REALLY might be. Kinda scared too, though, especially with a nearly four-year-old. Anyone here carfree?

[PeacefulSeams]

I want to become more green. This will be my first challenge.

What we do now
*Vegetarian
*recycle
*buy 2nd hand whenever possible
*plan on having my first garden ever
*never eat out
*decluttering so others can use the items
*make my own cleaner with dishsoap and water
*replacing bulbs with CFL as they burn out
*use Freecycle whenever possible
*don't own a microwave
*plan monthly menu so I only have to shop once
*use rechargable batteries in everything

My Goals
*start on my garden
*declutter more
*turn the thermostat down a few degrees
*have an herb garden
*make my own laundry soap
*rid my home of all chemicals
*rid my home of all plastics (will take some convincing my DH)
*use more homeopathic remedies
*figure out a way to get an outdoor line to dry clothes

There are more things but I am too tired to think right now.

[Jennisee]

Originally Posted by ohmtaretu

Wow, Jennisee! Your list is nearly identical to ours!

Great minds think alike.

Which wood stove did you get? We have a major issue with clearance because the only logical place to put the stove is a tiny corner in the dining room. Also, our house is very tall, so the piping will cost more than the stove.

And I'm jealous about the old windows. I'd love to have some for building a cold frame.