Small Steps Towards Greener Living
Posted by: Mom in environment, family, green living, my projects
Kermit was always my favorite Muppet, so I’ve aspired to “be green” for a lot of my life. Now, I guess that’s taken on new meaning for me. Now, I’m just doing my best to make my family’s footprint on the Earth smaller, rather than trying to live in Kermit’s swamp!
We’ve taken a few more baby steps in the last few months. I’m using tote bags instead of plastic ones when I grocery shop. Sadly, they aren’t homemade bags, like I was hoping. Still, they are sturdy and handy. I always feel good when I remember to bring them along and use them. I’m remembering them more than I’m forgetting them these days, since I now keep them stashed by the passenger seat of my car. Any that are brought into the house after shopping are set under my purse so that I grab them on my way out the next time I leave the house.
We just changed another of our light fixtures over to CFL’s this weekend. There is only one light fixture left to change out now. All of the rest of the light bulbs in the house are CFL’s or regular flourescents. As expensive as the CFL bulbs can be, they last so much longer than incandescent bulbs! We are still using some that we got as a gift back in 2006 (or was it earlier than that?) and they are in heavy usage light fixtures! (Thank you, John, for making the investment on our behalf. We teased you at the time, but we really do appreciate them!) We have moved them with us twice now and they will continue moving with us as long as they last.
I think the next “green” step I will take is composting. I’m still weighing what kind of composting I want to do. I’m pretty intrigued by worm composting, or vermicomposting. Toph’s not all that keen on having a worm composting bin in the house though, and that’s the only way we could do that. I like the idea of having a composting pile outside, but I’m not sure the neighbors would think it was so cool! So, I guess that leaves an enclosed pile. I just have to figure out the best way to do it.
Composting has two huge benefits: For one thing, it reduces the amount of waste going into the landfills. So much of what I throw away, I guiltily realize could be composted or recycled. We do recycle, but our city’s recycling program only accepts a few different types of things. So, other things that seem perfectly recycle-able to me end up pitched. The second benefit for me is that compost provides excellent nutrients for my garden. My garden is growing in leaps and bounds right now, and not having to buy fertilizer or other things to improve my soil would be a definite bonus.
What do you do to save resources, to be “green”? Do you vermicompost or have a compost pile? What have your experiences been with composting?
Also about my adventures in Greener Living: Disposable World
June 8th, 2008 at 8:13 am - Edit
Us, too! Going green and toxic free . . . or trying to, anyway.
“I always feel good when I remember to bring them along and use them.” That is my one problem–remembering. I have been doing everything from buying “green” cleaners, turning off the water when brushing my teeth, creative composting, turning out the lights whenever possible, changing lightbulbs . . .
It isn’t much in the grand scheme of things, but I’m hoping it’ll make some sort of difference
June 8th, 2008 at 4:18 pm - Edit
We make a difference when more people do the little things. Un-green habits on everyone’s part has added up. Conversely, the little things we all do can swing the pendulum the other way. The most effective thing we can do is to spread the word.
In addition to what you do, I take advantage of public transit and ride my bike whenever practical.
I do a little bit of composting. I don’t find the odor to be offensive, or even detectable. I’m probably not doing it the “conventional” way, but it works.
June 9th, 2008 at 6:21 am - Edit
I have composted on and off throughout my life, but just recently got very serious about it. We live in the country so it’s easier. We just took some wire, made a cylinder, tied it together and stood it on end and set it at the edge of the woods. I’ll be posting pics on my blog soon.
I love the idea of worm composting and hope to do it this winter, since composting is more difficult during the long winter months.
One thing I’ve done that might work for you…Take one of those outside garbage cans with a lid, drill holes in the side for ventilation and dump compost in there. It only smells when you lift the lid.