Friday, August 29, 2008

Going Green

Lately, I've been making an effort to try to be more environmentally conscious. I still have a LONG way to go, but I think we need to start somewhere. So, I recently bought the reusable bags at Kroger, to cut back on all of the plastic bags that are used. I will say that for 2 weeks the bags sat in the back of my gas-guzzling SUV (I'm not quite ready to buy a hybrid yet). I just kept forgetting to bring them into the store with me. However, just the other day, I finally remembered to bring them in and when I left with my 4 bags, it felt good! Kroger even gives you 3 cents off every reusable bag you use---so, while 12 cents isn't much, I'm saving money and being environmentally conscious! You should try it!

Our family also tends to leave things plugged in the wall when we aren't using them. For example, our phone chargers, the toaster, can opener, razor, hair straightener, etc. are all plugged in the wall 24/7. I've been hearing about how much energy can be saved just by unplugging them after we use them. So now, those items have been unplugged and I'm trying to work up to bigger items like the electronics, but we'll see how that goes.

We also recycle and are slowly replacing certain light bulbs with energy-saving light bulbs, but there's lots more we can do. Some of you might be wondering, "What does going green mean?", while others of you may be laughing at how little we are doing to be environmentally conscious. I don't mind putting myself out there to show I'm trying to learn and be better. What about you? I'd love to know some things you and your family are doing!

8 comments :

Anonymous said...

hi! i am very impressed.. we should definitely do more than we do. one thing i do is try to buy "green" cleaning products. i feel like they are better all around (for our family and the earth).. i think they are definitely better for our kids!

Jennifer

Anonymous said...

We're working on it - I actually keep meaning to buy the bags whenever I'm in Whole Foods, but just forget. I did decide on my next cycle of buying cleaning products, I'll start trying the Green Works stuff. We did join a CSA in order to get local produce, so I figure we're helping out by not buying produce that has to be transported here from far away. We, too, have a LONG way to go. No way am I giving up my SUV, though. :)

Elisabeth Mills said...

I am starting to make my own cleaning products...easy and not dangerous for the kids! I also try to buy organic as much as possible, although I don't buy everything organic. Oh, and we are trying to use a more earth friendly grass fertilizer.

Ashley said...

you inspire me! i have yet to buy the reusable bags at the grocery. -we do use those light bulbs, though the light they put off in some of our lamps looks weird, so they are not in every lamp. i tried to make my own cleaning products a while back too, but didn't really like them. if you start doing that and find some cleaners you like, please share!!

are y'all watching football today? i'm assuming you are. we're so excited!! miss you lots!

Anonymous said...

Here's a question for anyone who knows - what's a good "natural" cleaner besides vinegar? I can't go near the stuff - it makes me gag. I actually have to make my husband clean the baby's humidifier (it has to sit in a vinegar/water mix), and I can't go in the kitchen while it's cleaning.

Anonymous said...

we do about the same....light bulbs, recyling, re-usable bags, unplugging, green cleaner, some organic.
-jthompson

Miss Angie said...

Good job to you. If you read the 'stuff white people like' blog, you will see that you are fitting in just fine! ;) I don't have the reusable bags, but I do take my plastic bags to school so that the athletics/pe boys & girls have those to take their gym clothes home in. See? That's recycling! I don't leave much plugged in (TV & computer are the main ones). Keep up the good work!

Lisa Joy said...

I agree that safer cleaning products may be a good next step. I've been using Clorox's "Green Works" line for a few months now, and I'm really impressed with how well they clean! Plus, they're MUCH cheaper than the Seventh Generation and Method lines. And I only really need about 4 bottles for my whole house: dishsoap, toilet bowl cleaner, all-purpose cleaner, and glass cleaner. I highly recommend them!

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