i am something of an environmental enthusiast.
not a good one, just something of one.
as a youth:
i picked up litter on my way home from school to throw away in my home trash can. i used a lunch box and wrapped my sandwiches in cloth in high school to avoid throwing things away. i began recycling as soon as it became available through curbside at home, and once i knew where a drop off point was after that.
more recently:
- i switched from disposable diapers to cloth. i highly recommend that, ask me for recommendations if you’re interested.
- i started using canvas bags for shopping (gradually shifting to the store-brand ones at the preference of my husband, i guess the ones i chose were too tacky 😉 ) (check out reusablebags.com if you’re interested in that).
- i started making decisions at the grocery store based on not just price and nutritional content but packaging as well (yes, i know, talk about a headache, but i can’t seem to help it anymore).
- i discovered preserve toothbrushes when walmart carried them briefly. pretty cool for a toothbrush. they make other things too….
- i have also begun thrifting in earnest, trying my best to buy secondhand before i buy something new (hooray for goodwill and craigslist!)
- my husband and i bought an old school style reel mower and a rechargeable electric string cutter and hedge trimmer instead of the traditional gas powered versions. our neighbors make comments about us doing things the hard way. they’re not kidding, but it’s a good workout and much more pleasurable to watch and smell the delicious spray of cut grass quietly spill over the reel than to sit on or push a noisy, stinky mower while inhaling it’s fumes
- my friend and i started making cloth menstrual pads a month or so ago with a pattern she found online. i haven’t finished mine yet, but in the meantime i found a divacup at the local whole foods. i splurged and decided it will soon more than pay for itself.
what i want to do in the future:
- compost
- garden (square foot gardening, to be specific)
- meet more of my family’s clothing needs through sewing
- eliminate unnecessary plastic in my home
- use only green cleaners and personal products
- support local organic growers
- cook from scratch (homemade bread, which i do now and then, yogurt, soymilk, jam, bottled fruits, etc.)
- have an energy efficient home and vehicle (someday)
- live somewhere i can walk and bike safely for transportation
- have a gym that uses eco-friendly and energy efficient equipment
- have plants in my home that create fresh air
- have plants in my yard that make sense for my climate!
for next time: the literature i have read or want to read that relates to all of this, including get crafty, everything michael pollan, and cradle to cradle. links to come next time. right now it’s bedtime.
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