Mom Goes Green

HaPPy NeW YeaR!!! A new year has arrived and I hope your celebration was great, green and safe!

So, if you’re visiting Mom Goes Green, you probably try to live green, you’re looking for new ways to go green or maybe you just don’t know where to start.  Well, with the beginning of a new year, maybe it’s appropriate to start a new beginning of green living and think about the fundamentals.

Maybe there are things we’re forgetting, things we haven’t put into action or simple things that we’ve fallen off the wagon with.  So, let’s get started…

Use this as a checklist of things to think about and work into our daily lives. Drum roll please!!!…            (in no specific order… 10 simple ways to go green: )

1. Recycle anything and everything.  There’s no reason not to.  Cans, bottles, newspapers, plastics, paper, cardboard, catalogs, junk mail… ALL recyclable, so don’t let them add to landfills.  Don’t forget about electronics, ink cartridges, cell phones… recyclable!  Check earth911.org to find out where.
2. Reduce your water consumption.  Turn off that faucet, buy water- (and energy-) efficient appliances, run only full loads of dishes or laundry, check for leaks, buy a low flow shower heads, reduce your shower time… it all adds up to a great big difference.
3. Unplug, unplug, unplug… and turn it off.  Anything that’s plugged in still uses electricity – your cell phone charger, computers, appliances – so unplug them or use a power strip.  Turn off lights when you leave a room.  Don’t let your home be an energy hog.
4. Switch your light bulbs to CFLs.  They save money and use less energy.  Just remember to properly recycle them.
5. Buy locally grown produce.  Not only does it support local farming, it also creates a much smaller carbon footprint and your organics will likely be cheaper too.  Maybe even consider a CSA.
6. Buy less or NO commercial cleaners.  Vinegar and baking soda do wonders for so, so many things.  They’re less toxic, don’t pollute water sources and they’re a whole lot cheaper too.
7. Buy reusable shopping bags. Use them! Never, ever accept another plastic bag.  It’s that simple… ’nuff said!
8. Stop buying bottled water.  Sure, the bottles are recyclable, but think about the energy and resources needed to manufacture them and the footprint to get them to the grocery store shelves.  Plus, BPA is frightening.  Buy reusable aluminum or stainless steel bottles… your conscious will be clear.
9. Stop throwing away the things you don’t need anymore… donate them instead.  Clothes, furniture, appliances, toys, books… someone wants them, needs them and will appreciate them.  They don’t need to be trash.
10. Buy recycled products, products in recyclable containers and reusable items.  If they aren’t recyclable, find ways to reuse them. Be aware of over packaged products too. Simply, make wise choices.

Wow… that was fast.  I think I could have easily made that a “50 ways” list, but I don’t want to overwhelm you… or me!  There are so many other things I could have added, like turning down your thermostat, reducing your driving, planting a tree… but for now, we’ll stick with the fundamentals list!

I just did the checklist myself and I need to smack my own hand.  With a few of them I’m not doing so well, so I need to make them a part of my own New Year’s Resolutions!

How did you do?

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