Happy Earth Day peeps.
We recycle our fannies off and fill up 2-3 bins every Wednesday. At parties, we will bring home a box of recyclables if the host does not do it (then we really look like a frat house come recycling day). Yep, we have a compost (well kind of, but that's another blog for another day). We've been using cloth bags at the market (shout out Doc Eric), Target, shopping, etc. for quite some time - the good news is that we get less strange looks/sighs from the checkers since now it is a bit more trendy. Whole Foods will even credit you 10 cents a bag on your bill.
Earth Hour event in March and energy efficient light bulbs - check. I read this suggestion in Real Simple last year and keep a pail in the shower to catch runoff water for our house plants. At my beloved Starbucks, I bring a travel mug, earning a free upsize or 10 cents off depending on the location. Bike rides and quick walks to the nearby store instead of driving - you betcha. In looking to buy a fuel efficient sedan by year's end to replace the '97 Accordian), I test drove a hybrid Camry the other day too (it's a bit higher than my car budget, but I could not resist).
Internet, what are you doing to leave the earth a little cleaner, prettier for Carter/yourself/fill in the blank? Please share your suggestions and comments below...
From proud tree huggers (that's for you, Kennedy),
The Schwangstons
Update - I just read Katie's blog and laughed out loud. Can you tell that we are sisters?
4 comments:
We have LED Christmas lights and use Green Dimes to reduce the junk mail sent to our house. I am not sure why I am telling you this, but Katie told me to add it. Nice blog by the way.
Happy Earth Day Schwangstons! We've got some green going on down here and DP hit a few of the things not noted on our blog.
go green team Schwangston!!
I'll play (sorry, this got long quick). :)
*we avoid disposable goods, instead using dish towels, real plates (even on picnics), dish rags, cloth diapers, cloth wipes, cloth/washable mop, cloth rags, etc. I was even inspired by the Schwangstons to not save cloth napkins for special occasions.
* we buy in bulk when possible to limit packaging.
* we make most of our household cleaners out of biodegradable/green ingredients that somehow resemble salad dressing (vinegar, oils, water with the occasional use of baking soda and borax)
* we switched to soaps and shampoos that are phalelet, paraben and SLS-free. We condition hair with apple cider vinegar.
* we ditched the fabric softner and instead use vinegar.
* we line dry our clothes after they are washed in an HE washer.
* when our HVAC croaks (can we time it for the tax credit, please!?!) we have already scoped out a super energy efficient one.
* we seek a used option first. For furniture. For household goods. For clothes and toys for the kids. Hanna Anderson, Gap and Gymbo make clothes that could hold up for a half dozen kids.
* we mow our lawn with a reel-mower.
* we subscribe to a CSA for local, organic veggies and planted fruit bushes for hyper-local/backyard, organic summer fruit. I am also trying to organizing a neighborhood garden for this summer.
Where I struggle: a source of local, organic eggs and dairy, limiting beef in Judson's diet, kid-related water waste, and bikes to more easily avoid the car on family trips.
Bike suggestions?
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