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Help me begin!

post #1 of 10
6/10/08 at 4:25pm
Thread Starter 
I'm new to this whole "living green" lifestyle but it's something that's really important to me.

How do I start reducing waste in my household?

So far, we :

Compost
Recycle glass, plastic and paper.


I know there is more - I need guidance and lots of it!

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post #2 of 10
6/10/08 at 4:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by thankful85 View Post
I'm new to this whole "living green" lifestyle but it's something that's really important to me.

How do I start reducing waste in my household?

So far, we :

Compost
Recycle glass, plastic and paper.


I know there is more - I need guidance and lots of it!
a nice third step is to take a look at your energy consumption. where could you cut back or cut out?

Do you live in a city a town or out in the country?
post #3 of 10
6/11/08 at 11:44pm
You have already taken great stepts!

Do you have shops where you can leave the packaging or can you avoid exaggerate packaging?
post #4 of 10
6/12/08 at 12:00am
cloth diapers, cloth towels instead of paper towel addiction


definitely compost veggie parts, and coffee grounds. easy!

it will make your trash less gross.
post #5 of 10
6/12/08 at 8:36am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the ideas!

I started CDing my youngest over 2 months ago.
We've used only cloth towels/washcloths instead of paper towels.

I am going to start the family cloth - just need to hit up the fabric store.

Keep the ideas coming!!
post #6 of 10
6/12/08 at 8:39am
Canvas bags for groceries
post #7 of 10
6/12/08 at 8:40am
Thread Starter 
Unfortunately we live in a suburb - under HOA nazis.

No line drying - though I'm still going to do it with one of those line drying racks. If they complain about it I can stop.
post #8 of 10
6/12/08 at 8:55am
Can you cook from scratch and buy fewer packaged foods?
Rack dry in the basement?

Buy goods you need at a Thrift or Second Hand shop. They won't be wrapped in the original packaging.

Borrow things you will only need one or twice.
post #9 of 10
6/14/08 at 10:54am
Quote:
Originally Posted by thankful85 View Post
I am going to start the family cloth - just need to hit up the fabric store.

Keep the ideas coming!!
I cut up some old t-shirts for family cloth. For some reason the heather gray is the softest. Maybe you won't have to buy new fabric if you have some old t-shirts or flannel shirts around the house.
post #10 of 10
7/1/08 at 2:17pm
Eat less meat.
Don't take out the trash until collection day.
Use handkerchiefs instead of tissues.
Use eco-friendly cleaners, like this one.
Use real dishes for picnics.
Lots more ideas!

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