What I have view on your site I have been doing for years. I grew up this way on a rural farm in North Dakota. We never wasted anything. Everything was recycled. All paper was shredded or rolled into tight logs to be burned in the fireplace. All foods Scraps were recycled in the garden or given to our pets. We raised our own vegetables, eggs and meats. We purchased milk from a local farmer. We canned or froze everything for food during the winter. We had a rootceller that we kept potatoes, carrots and such. We rendered our own lard. The only thing my mom had to purchase were fruits and we would buy them in bulk and can them for the winter. Oh we also had to buy the basics such as flour, spices and dish or laundry soap. For cleaning we only used dish soap and bleach on most everything. We only used the dryer in the winter months when we could get to the wash line because the snow was too deep or the clothes would freeze on the line. We very seldom used any paper products. My mom even reused bread bags if she decided to make bread rather than purchase it. All cereal bags were reused to seperate meats in the freezer or used to wrap sandwiches for my dad when he went to work. Only once a year did we purchase new clothes and that was for school…the rest of the time we got hand-me-downs or Mom made our clothes. The only thing we never really was able to save much on was transportation as we lived 2 miles from the closest town (50 people) and 15 miles from the closet stores. And yet then we saved also…we only went to town maybe once per week to get things we needed. We did go visiting and those times were usually scheduled when we went into town…unless there was a special event of some sort.
We were going through some stuff of my parents as they are starting to think about being prepared for their deaths. We had such a good time laughing and remembering things because they still have much of the stuff we used as kinds for traveling distances…the old coolers, water thermoses and all that fun stuff…us kids were shocked they still had it…my parents just looked funny at us and said “it is too good to throw out yet.”
I guess I have been a “green” person my whole life and never realized it. It is nice to see the younger generation doing the things us “older” folks have been doing for years…thanks for joining us.
This post was submitted by Lesha.
So much can be composted - egg shells, coffee grounds, tea bags, bread, grass clippings, leaves, all fruit and veggie scraps, etc. Mix these items together in a bin, either outside, or inside with worms, and a wonderful soil will be produced. This you can use outside in the garden or inside for potted herbs. There is a little science to composting so some research may be required.
This is activity incorporates health and eliminates a large percentage of waste going to the already-crowded landfills. Moreover, growing and eating your own produce will save you cash.
This post was submitted by Angie.
Eat locally, eat organic, eat vegan.
Hang dry clothes.
Wash clothes in cold water.
Take own bags when shopping.
Buy less stuff.
Eat organic.
Converted backyard to a big vegetable garden.
Reduce size of lawn.
Ride bike or walk more often.
Use a reusable water bottle (absolutely no plastic water bottles!)
Recycle everything that is recyclable.
Reuse stuff that is not recyclable as much as possible.
Buy whole unprocessed foods as opposed to packaged processed foods.
Use CFLs.
Use thermostat.
Quick 2-4 minute showers.
Don’t pre-rinse dishes before loading dishwasher.
Use a reel lawn mower.
Buy eco friendly laundry detergent, cleaning products and personal care products.
This post was submitted by Anu Kamath.
It took 12 years but I am finally car-free and loving it! I started by commuting one, then two days a week by bicycle from Hayward to Redwood City across the Dumbarton Bridge on San Francisco Bay. You’ll need wicking clothes (ski underwear is good and cheap, and looks pretty cool actually if you layer them aesthetically); rack & panniers for long commutes like mine; drink lots of water 24 hours before the ride; 75 - 100lb armadillo tires inflating them every 5-7 days; and “crystal stick” mineral deodorant if there are no showers at your worksite. When I moved to Oakland and recalled a fellow bike commuter who rode 5 days a week from Alameda to Palo Alto (BART to Union City), I said “I can do that”. So I slowly increased to 3 and 4 days/week and by 2005 I was my doing my 4days/10hr. work schedule all by bike and train in a loop around the Bay. About 30 miles of bike riding and 45 miles of train. I was able to read everyday for an 1-2 hours and get much better information than via TV, was physically fit and relaxed at work, and eating and sleeping like-lovin-life.
Then last year my car was stolen. I had tried to share it with folks in my area, but seems folks are addicted to 24hr access and haven’t learned to decouple from car tyranny, so I just let it go. No more $600/yr auto insurance for a car I never used. No waiting in traffic, no gas stations or repair nightmares. I figure now that I have taken an early retirement and live locally my car-free live-local lifestyle is saving me about $3000/year in car costs and about $200/month in groceries and meals. I shop at the market, go to movies and meals and travel anyway in the Bay Area on bike and train. I even commute to see a girl friend in Portland, bringing my bike with me on Amtrak. It’s so much fun and stress free, I wish I had been doing this my entire life.
Here’s a link to Carbusters Magazine so you can keep up with the latest in Car-Free developments across the globe…
http://www.carbusters.org/index.php
Happy Trails!
Sandy Sanders
This post was submitted by sandy sanders.
Eating vegan/organic and local foods and dumpsterdiving for Foods. Not buying clothes, shoes, accesories, etc . Using my bike, walking and taking public transportation 95% of the time instead of driving a car. The extra 5% I carpool with friends and family. No drinking bottled water. Using recicled and used stuff instead of buying new. Not using AC at home, watching 0 TV. I have been shopping for food and medicines mainly and want to reduce every day the number of things I buy that aren’t food or medicines; right now the number of things I buy dayly is almost cero so I am almost there!
This post was submitted by Gerardo Tristan.
I enjoy getting myself around by my own “people power”; by foot and by bicycle!
Although winters in Western New York can be harsh, I heard that people in cold weather areas are happier if they spend time outdoors in the winter and allow their bodies to acclimate to the cold.
My tip is to get outside, even when it seems “too cold” or “too snowy”. Walk, bicycle, and run in the cold. You’ll thank yourself for it!
This post was submitted by Rebekah in Buffalo, NY.
Also here in Italy we’re working on reducing our impact, some useful tips I follow:
In winter*turn on the heating only in the evening, two three hours a day,(but where I live it’s not very cold), turn off the light when watching TV,
use the washing machine just after seven in the evening or during the week ends(in Italy saves) at low temperatures, on Saturday and Sunday I get around by bike, I bought an ecologic car, Use cooking water of pasta and rice to wash dishes and cutlery, starch is an excellent degreaser, use the vinegar as anti limestone and water and baking soda to clean stainless steel and ceramics, is also sanitizing. Since last year do the shopping through a group of collective purchase directly from producers of the area, a sort of short chain from the producers of organic meat, organic vegetables, and organic soaps to buyers, it’s less expensive and more safe!
I use cotton bags to do my shoppings. I try to do my rubbish collection for recycling….Little things to stay better!
This post was submitted by monica.
One of the hardest things for me to give up in my eco-concious lifestyle is long hot baths. So I’ve found a way to justify my luxury.
In the winter time, when I indulge in a bath I leave the hot water in the tub when I’m finished. The heat from the water dissipates into the house and it also helps to humidify that super dry winter air. I also use some of the “grey water” for cleaning and for watering house plants once it cools.
The way I figure it, for the same amount of hot water, I can indulge in an hour long bath instead of a 10 minute shower. And I’m not just letting all of that heat go down the drain. It’s even better if you turn off all of the lights and bathe by candle light. That’s an hour spent in complete self-indulgence with no TV, computer, stereo or lights burning electricity!
This post was submitted by Rebecca Miklich.
i often carry my salad for lunch in mason jars.
its glass, resuable and versitle.
i also bought BPA free container for lunches that are a bit more messy.
but mason jars are a great alternative.
sure i’m a bit more careful with my bag now, but at least im not polluting more by using plastic wraps or buyign lunch in extra packaging.
This post was submitted by mabel.
I have parked my car and se an electric bike, public transit or my thumb to get around.
This post was submitted by mynalee johnstone.