What am I Doing?

Seeing as how I've ranted about what we all need to do, I thought it only fair to share some of the things I've done of recent, to make my life more Green.

I've spent the past year swapping out all my light bulbs to energy saver bulbs. I rent so, I've placed all the old bulbs in storage and will swap them back the day I decide to move. These new bulbs are a little pricey so, where I go, so too will they!

With so much being said about our consumption of paper-related products, I went out and bought a couple dozen handkerchiefs. Yes they're men's hankies but it's much harder to find ones for women. I keep 2 or 3 here at my desk, a few in the bedroom, buy the couch, you get the idea. It will cut down on that regular expense [at the grocery or dollar store] and save a few trees to boot. The day I bought them I told the cashier why and suggested that Walmart put together a display to help pass along to shoppers who may not have thought about doing the idea.

I haven't bought trash bags for years. That's what I use all those grocery bags for. But, I now take a cloth bag for the light-weight items and will buy a couple more as funds allow. What plastic bags I use are for recycled items, i.e., paper, plastics, aluminum, etc. I asked the checkout girl one day if Kroger had plans to eliminate plastic bags like they announced in California [see: San Francisco First City to Ban Plastic Shopping Bags or Plastic-ban full of holes.], but she didn't know anything about a ban on plastic shopping bags. Another checkout girl, who'd over heard our conversation, acknowledged if it really happens, Kroger may well follow. I suggested it would be a, "very good idea." We'll see.

I've always used cold water to launder my clothes and never run a load in the dryer until whatever articles are completely dry. I run each dryer load just long enough to help remove lint or potential deep set wrinkles, then I hang dry. That's what door frames and those handy little collapsible clothes racks are for.

As for the laundry detergents [and other household products], I admit I need to make a change back and used brands like Seventh Generation for many years. Problem is, until these earth-friendly brands lower their prices and make it more affordable with competitive prices, people who live paycheck to paycheck [and that's a massive amount of people--myself included] simply can't afford or justify the higher prices. It's not that they won't want to buy earth-friendly products, it's that they feel they can't afford to. Something to think about there.

I unplugged pretty much everything around the house. The major exceptions being: the stove and frig [I can't even get to those outlets], the TV and my PC. My printer would be another exception. I keep it unplugged until I need to print or scan anything.

Some things I plan to do in the near future:

When I can afford one or two [I'm on Disability so funds are rather low these days] I will go out to buy those one or two of those new Smart Strips for the entertainment center and PC.

I want to make some insulated window shades for the back windows which receive the major heat of the day. I hope to cut down on the mid-day heat so that the air-conditioner won't kick on as much throughout the summer months. I'll do the front windows [which get the morning sun] as I can afford them.

UPDATE: Added 5-1-07:

I watched Nova's Saved by the Sun, on PBS again yesterday which made me get online to find out what materials I need. I found the following article at Mother Earth News: The Homemade Thermal Shade.

I'm going to buy a water heater blanket [also called a water heater jacket], next week, to help lower the expense of heating water. Those run only about $20 at Lowes.

Here are a few helpful sites:

I found these: earth911, and TreeHugger, last year and Unplugged Living, just this week.

Last year I joined:

Here's their Take Action list.

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Probably about 7 years ago [give or take a few months on either side] I bought a Scott's manual push mower. It was around the first time the gas prices sky-rocketed and it was my way of saying, "I'm not paying that much to cut my grass!" I know my neighbors thought me crazy or silly at best as I rolled the little mower blades across the lawn. But I wasn't going to let that stop me. Besides, it is much more quiet and we could all do with a little less noise pollution--while we're at it. It also didn't exactly match their perfectly mowed lawns. Not that I have anything against perfectly mowed and manicured lawns. I'm simply want to offer a little perspective.

I live in a townhome now and the landlord hires a crew take care of the lawns. But. For those who want to spend less on gasoline consumption; could use or want a little more exercise; and have a small-sized lawn, QVC just showed one yesterday for under a $100. It comes with a grass collector [mine didn't even come with that] and would help with maintaining a compost pile. And anyone doing any kind of gardening, should have a compost pile.

We do not all have to take a giant step to start, but we all need to start doing something [everyone's action list will vary] and do what we can now. We can no longer afford to sit idly by thinking someone else is going to take care of this for us.

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Until next time,
Many Blessings, L.L.