Change Yourself
Collectively, small lifestyle changes can make a huge impact on the environment–and your life. Looking for happiness and health? What’s good for the environment is also, it turns out, great for you. Here’s a collection of tips from the No Impact community.
Latest Tips
Tip Categories
- More Money (185)
- Clearer Conscience (151)
- More Fun (89)
- Better Health (126)
- More Time (62)
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happydog
We keep our own chickens in the garden. They give us eggs, eat leftovers from the kithen and produce fertilizer. Three in one!
This post was submitted by Heidi Spiten.
No car, no TV
Hi, great project! I love all these one-year conciousness-raising project.
I know, however, many people who, like me, have never owned a car, a TV, been vegetarian for decades, produce pretty nearly Zero Waste, bicycle or walk, garden to grow food.
Maybe not all these things all together, although in my case, they are done together.
Comment: Facebook, Twitter, blog, aren’t these things dependent on electronics, which are hardly non-impactful (see book ‘STUFF’ by a West Coast guy, from the ’90s, chapter on manufacturing of computers) and waste-free. As I am in touch with you this very minute, I am aware of this contradiction. Computers do have an impact, and a big one, on the Earth.
Marie
This post was submitted by Marie Roulleau.
easy stuff to do
Hanging all clothes on clothes line and in garage when raining
washing with the “quick” cycle, which is plenty good and uses only 8 gallons
bike to ALL errands within 1 mile from home (includes grocery)
use own bags only buy clothes 2nd hand grow some veges buy local eggs
Craigslist “free” ad for unwanted stuff NO AC–fans and trees instead
“When it’s yellow let it mellow” NO MEAT CASH ONLY–no plastic
lots of other little things, too
This post was submitted by kelley.
recycling kids clothing
I am the owner of a new business named GumdropSwap. It’s a unique spin on children’s consignment. It is the first online children’s clothing swap club based in Bridgeport, CT. I started this business when I was laid off earlier this year. I was appalled to discover how many people throw away clothes in great condition and pollute our landfills. Especially when so many families are struggling financially. As a new mom, I know how fast children grow and the strain to keep up with the demand. I wanted to figure out a way for parents to get rid of the things their kids had outgrown and be able to get “new” clothes with little cost. There are more details on my website http://www.gumdropswap.com. Online members can ship in items from all over the nation and place an order from our inventory of new and gently used clothing in sizes from newborn up to 14/16. We reuse boxes for shipping and recycled office supplies whenever possible. Since we only swap items in “like new” condition, items that don’t meet quality standards are either donated to charity or “repurporsed” into apparel, accessories and baby quilts.This eco-friendly business is changing the way parents buy and dispose of heir children’s things.
This post was submitted by Gabby.
Free, Barter and More
Love this site and look forward to seeing the movie. I moved to LA with no money 4 years ago and was forced to be resourceful to make ends meet. ( now thank goodness, I am doing much much better, but that is due to be resourcefulness.)
1) Craig’s list Free section- I have gotten so much free stuff from there it is unbelievable… It furnished most of my apartment when I moved here.) Much like freecycle , people are giving away , cleaning out grages and stoarge spaces to keep stuff out of landfills…Often times the stuff is in amazing condition. Also I have a guy that offers free lemons and limes off his trees every year if you come pick them>>
2) The Barter section of Craig’s List/ Barter networks… I have traded so much , my friend’s call me the barter queen, sometimes two-three tier trades, but I don’t like to waste things and can save money by trading with other people for their stuff/ services.
3) Organic Coop Farms – you can pay a low fee and get fresh local organic veggies/fruits delivered to you and u just reuse the box each week/month that they are delivered in
4)Many places will give you a discount if you bring your own cup or bag 7-11/ Starbucks will discount coffee, most stores will discount if you bring your bags
5)Much of what needs cleaned can be done with baking soda and vinegar
6) Old t-shirts, towels, sheets are reused as rags
7)Thrift shops/ Garage Sales are your friend, you save money and keep things out of landfills…
Go outside and be active. It is nature’s gym…Hike, bike,skate, join a kickball or softball league, many parks have exercise trails, LA they have free yoga at Runyan Canyon everyday….
9)Use raw coconut oil instead of lotion, it is natural , smells good and great for your skin.( Whole Foods carries this andmost natural stores)
I have many amazing resourses here in LA.. I will start blogging it on soon….Save money, be green, love life!!!! Namaste….
This post was submitted by JC.