A few days ago, Caitlin wrote a post about going green and since I think of myself as fairly eco-friendly, I thought it would be fun to post a few tips for you. For the dear husband and I, being green is an ever evolving process and we are always looking for more ways to be compassionate towards Mother Earth without breaking the bank. Here are a few tips on ways that you can make your lifestyle greener and save a little money at the same time:
- Always carry reusable bags to the grocery store and use reusable produce bags
, too. Not only does this save billions of plastic bags each year, it also saves you money since most stores offer a bag credit.
- Buy local. Buying local produce, dairy and meat saves fuel and chances are, these items are more ethically produced than big factory farms. One of the additional advantages I have found from buying local produces is that it stays fresher longer because it hasn’t traveled so far, losing valuable nutrients, to get to your plate. Eat Wild is a great resource for finding local farms in your area.
- Recycle. I know, it sounds pretty obvious but many families still don’t recycle. It is easy once you get a system that works and doesn’t cost a thing. You can even recycle #5 plastic and cell phones in your local Whole Foods stores.
- Buy used. Furniture and clothing are great items that you can buy gently used and many stores that sell these types of items often give back to the community.
- Put bricks in your toilets. No, seriously. Put a brick in the tank and this can save gallons of water each year. Be careful if your toilet is really old, it may not be able to handle flushing with less water.
- Borrow books, magazines and dvd’s from the library. This saves paper and plastic alike and if you are into books and movies the way we are, it can save a ton of cash as well.
- Cook from scratch. Making items that you can buy pre-made will save plenty of plastic each trip to the grocery store. Hummus, bread, soup and broths are all simple to make and often times you can make them for pennies on the dollar.
- Re-purpose. Saving glass jars and reusing them is great for food storage. I like to make dressings in old glass jars or store homemade broth in old mason jars.
- Make you own or buy from companies that make eco-friendly choices. I make my own deodorant and scrubs and for items I don’t have time to make, I buy from companies I trust. Charlie’s is a great company for laundry soap
and all purpose cleaner
as all of their products are eco-friendly and they last forever.
Are you eco-friendly? What are some of your favorite tips?
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
For me I like to recycle all my cans, bottles, papers, etc. Also, I always use the reusable bags for the grocery stores as well along with using the ‘green” products to clean my apartment! I drink my water out of a reusable container most of the time (unless I forget it) and generally walk to as many places as I can instead of driving everywhere
Salah@myhealthiestlifestyle´s last blog ..Busy Bee
great tips!! i love buying grains, nuts, etc, from the bulk bins. it’s way cheaper and mcuh more eco-friendly! and going back to basics: don’t let the water run when brushing your teeth!
Me too. I even have a little sign that I decorated and put in a pretty frame in my bathroom that says ” please conserve water by turning it off while washing your hands and brushing your teeth”.
Love this post and am really intrigued about how you make your own deodorant and scrubs! Please share details! I do a lot of these, carry my own bags, reuse jars, buy local, etc. I buy from companies I trust (but it’s hard to keep track of when the good ones are being sold to less trustworthy companies) and I’m learning more and more what I can make at home. I unplug nearly everything (computer, modem, chargers, etc.) every time I leave the house and I leave little notes on bathroom mirrors (small businesses and residential) when I find the lights are always on when the room is unoccupied. I can’t help it- lights being left on drives me crazy! I’m also a public transportation devotee and walker; 25 and still refusing to get a license. Most people think I’m nuts, especially in a town where EVERYONE has a car, but I know it’s worth it. It’s good for me and for the planet. Oh, and I hand-wash my laundry sometimes when I only have a little to do. And hang dry. Washers and dryers use a lot of energy! My greenness might seem a little OCD to some, but I find a lot of joy and satisfaction in living simply, living green and doing my part. Thanks for sharing these great tips!
Katie @ peace of cake´s last blog ..A Change in Purpose
I wish I lived in a more walk friendly area. My commute is 36 miles one way though I do drive a prius to help with saving gas.
For the deo: I use coconut oil, baking soda and arrowroot powder. Melt the oil (about 1/2 cup) and mix with a couple tablespoons each of the soda and arrowroot. Pour it into old deo container and pop into the fridge for about an hour. Works like a charm.
For scrubs, I just mix Epson salts or sugar with some sort of oil like coconut oil, olive oil, sesame oil until it is the right consistency. Leaves your skin so soft.
Great tips! One of my favourite tips (and easiest!) is to carry a reusable water bottle
Allison (Eat Clean Live Green)´s last blog ..5 Ways You Know You’re A Health Enthusiast
Absolutely! I totally forgot about that one when I was writing out the tips.
Great tips! Have you ever used something called Free-Cycle? You can connect with people in your area to trade things (for free) that would have otherwise been thrown away. I’ve gotten some great furniture and appliances that way!
Katie @ Health for the Whole Self´s last blog ..Squashing the Green-Eyed Monster
I need to look into that, thanks for the tip!
Never heard of the brick trick before. Crazy.
Lindsay (goodiesgalore)´s last blog ..Dirty oats.
i’d like to think i’m a pretty green person, but i’ll be honest…i don’t go completely out of my way to be green in every single thing i do. we do recycle, use clothe bags (or just carry stuff out of the store by hand), have eco-friendly lighting and stuff like that though!
Heather (Heather’s Dish)´s last blog ..Mountain Madness
Great tips! Thanks for sharing! I’m always look for ways to be more eco-friendly!
Eat less meat is one that people often over look. I’m not saying everyone needs to be a vegetarian, but even consuming a few meat free meals per week would make a huge difference!
Karla´s last blog ..Just a Taste
I love that you posted these – every so often, no matter how “green” we are, we all need to be reminded that there is more we can do.
Some ways I try to keep green (in addition to some of the things you’ve listed):
- walking almost everywhere
- recycling my paper (ie. using old term papers to re-print articles! haha)
- composting
- by local and organic whenever possible
- eat in season when possible
- avoiding food that comes in too much packaging
- only doing laundry when I have built up enough for a large load (otherwise I’ll hand-wash smaller items)
- turning off all the lights and electronics when I leave a room
- turning down the heat at night
aaand that’s all i can think of right now!
Darryn (brio.gusto)´s last blog ..Meeting Robert Kenner, director of “Food, Inc.”!
Great tips! We pretty much do all of that to those I do admit to leaving lights on. It drives my husband nuts.
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