Going "Green"
 

Thought it would be interesting to hear what everyone is doing to save our environment. I am trying not to use any of those Plastic bags at the grocery stores by using reusable bags. This has been a challenge because not only do I have to remember the bags but it feels real wierd walking in a store with an empty bag....just wondering how long it will be before I get accused of shop lifting. LOL Anybody have any tips to make this easier?

I have used my own grocery bags for many years and I now have two large bags that accommodate my frozen, meat and dairy products. I have never in over 30 years had any problems bringing my own bags to shop with. Kroger here gives us 5 cents credit on our grocery bill for each bag we bring and use. If I forget my bags I try for paper bags because I recycle my newspapers in them. If I buy something small I always tell them to keep the bag and keep my receipt handy when I leave the store. Since we have two cars and never know which one we will use when shopping I keep a small set of bags in each car for those unexpected trips. Our area does recycle papers, cans and glass which we participate in. I don't think you will have a problem using your own bags because if you notice every store is selling reusable bags with their names on them.

We just replaced both of our toilets with low flow versions. It is amazing how little water they use! We have also replaced both shower heads with water saver units. Most of our light bulbs are now florescent, but our reading lamps we had to leave with the incandescent bulbs. Just not enough light with the others. We have curbside recycling for our cardboard, plastic, glass and newspapers. I have been wanting to replace the washer and dryer with more energy efficient models, but can't justify throwing out working machines. But they are 23 years old, how much longer can they last?

I only fill up my suv when it needs gas.

Yoda

Here is something everyone can do tomorrow to be a little more "green". :click: http://green.yahoo.com/blog/greenpic...arth-hour.html

I kinda figure there is not anything I can do to harm the environment nor anything to "save" it. I recycle newsprint because it seems to make economic sense. Most of the other stuff is feel-good BS akin to school kids running a lemonade stand to pay off the national debt. But if it does make you feel righteous, go on ahead and do your thing.






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Use my own shopping bags, recycle news print, recycle bottles, cans, plastic. I started refilling plastic water bottles from the indoor water dispenser on the frig. Used to buy a case of water every couple weeks, now maybe one every 3 or 4 months. I use bottled water not because the water tastes bad, it's just more convenient to take with me. In the car, golf cart, town square, or anywhere. Like to have water to drink. So by refilling water bottles, save money and don't add more plastic to the land fills.

Our new home has the low flow toilets. ( I think that is what they are called)

So, theoretically, I guess you could say we are helping the enviroment. BUT, the masterminds that decided how much we could flush, didn't regulate the number of times one could flush per use. :bowdown: ( I'm sure they would if they could)

Unfortunatly, I think more water is being used due to the number of flushes required to rid the toilet of waste. Another example of our wonderful government at work.

Of course some of you on the other side of the aisle, politically speaking, may say that our toilet problem is due to the fact that our household is full of flushable material!! :a20:

I know for a fact that that is not correct and that you are right again but I am prejudiced.:agree::agree:

We do most of the things mentioned

Seriously
 

We have those funny light bulbs. They last a long time. On the bad side I don't call the haz-mat team when I break one. Low flow toilets? I have them. They are mandated. We got good ones this time. The cheap ones sometimes require a double flush. No water savings there. I don't recycle tonic cans and bottles (soda for those of you not From the area) Massachusetts needs the un-refunded deposit money to meet the budgit.

I eat a lot of sushi. That saves fule. Our house is very insulated. We do most of the stuff. I don't know if it helps but it saves us a few bucks,

PS We do not worship at the alter of global warming. What we do just makes sense.

Every little thing helps
 

I just can't get use to those funky lightbulbs. But I'll keep trying. Now I'm trying to go paperless with no paper plates, no paper towels and no paper napkins. Just think of the $$ we save. Just FYI -- NOT eliminating toilet paper. LOL

I have the cfl light bulbs. We had Progress Energey do their energy check on our home and they paid part to have the all the duct work re-wrapped and had more insulation blown in. During the cold snap we had in Florida in February, my total electric bill was less than half of our son's who has half the square footage so I know it paid off. I try to use the shopping bags. They ride in my car all the time. If I could only remember to bring them in with me. Maybe if I put my coupons in them I will remember. Is that an age thing? We have the low water usuage toliets and no problems with them. I try to bake more than one thing at a time - or cook more than one meal at a time too.

Great analogy muncle
 

Great analogy and I agree.

Going green
 

I paid the $1,000 gas guzzle tax on my sports car!barf

Newspaper bags
 

Any suggestions to reuse those plastice bags that our newspapers are in?

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Sandy... you can put your home-baked bread in them when you bake ...

Yeah. Believe it or not, Operation Shoebox couldn't get enough of them for wrapping various items they sent to soldiers. Again, a good use for an otherwise disposable item that saved money for a good organization, not an attempt to stop global warming or cure the ozone.

Don't know for sure if Shoebox is still using these bags and if they need them. Maybe someone here is active in the group????







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Paper or Ceramic?
 

Sandy222 brings up a question I pondered when I lived in the desert.
Do you think it's better to use paper plates & cups, which don't come from old growth forests but come from tree farms, or do you think it's better to use precious water to wash the plates and glasses and towels and napkins? Which way do you think is more environmentally friendly? I really don't know, and I'd like to hear your ideas.

I do know that when I stopped using paper towels I started doing a lot more laundry. I'm just messy...

Its a decision
 

So many decisions to make . Maybe I'll go back to using paper plates , or maybe I won't. Just got to do whatever makes you feel good.

Sandy, There are things you can crochet with the plastic bags. My Grandma made throw rugs. Of course, when we slipped on one and ended up at the hospital, it got a little expensive !! But you can make tote bags or messenger bags. check out allfreecrafts.com

Yes I do
 

I use them to protect the rear window wiper on My Hummer. Don't send me any more I have plenty.
:coolsmiley::coolsmiley:

Recycle, compost, recycle. I try to use organic products when weeding or cleaning.

For weeding, 1 gallon of vinegar; 1 cup of salt; 1 tablespoon dishwashing detergent does a pretty good job on killing weeds.

Clean your floors with a 20% vinegar/water solution. Works great, smells good, doesn't streak.

I have recycled and done things for many many years now to save money and keep things clean.

However, 'going green' in terms of global warming or climate change, which ever they are calling it now, is absolutely wrong. Big scam which will hurt our economy and not do a dang thing for the planet.

reduce reuse recycle, makes economic and "green" sense,

I just caretake as best I can

Wasting Away
 

Along with recycling, we should strive to live as Minimalistic which basically is living in a clutterfree home. We all have so many useless items around us , cluttering our homes, cluttering our minds.

Eventually all this stuff ends up out at the end of the driveway .

Beady and I switched to corn cobs for a while but they didn't go down very well so we've had to revert back to old newspapers.

Thanks for ideas
 

So many great ideas and words of encouragement.