Hug a Tree Today

Today is Earth Day!

go plant a tree...water a flower or change a light bulb. You know, I make a concious effort to be planetarily aware on a daily basis. I'm always searchin the interwebs for ideas on more things I can do.... I have to say that i'm often left disappointed.

If I see one more "TOP 10 WAys to Be GREEN" that starts off with replace your lightbulbs, I'm going to scream. Is it not a requirement of Journalists to be creative and unique anymore?? What good are you if I have to do my own digging for new ways..

So these are things that I do on a regular basis. Some are basic, Some are a little above avereage: I think Earth Day is a perfect day for evaluation and improvement.

1. I recycle. Luckily my city provides a service so this is as simple as dumping it in a bucket and setting it on a curb. However, i'm really anal about rinsing them out, delabeling them and somewhat organizing it for the wonderful employees of the recycling center.

2. I haev CFLs. I have yet to replace ALL of my bulbs, but i have about 6 of them in my small house. I could use about 6 more.

3. I turn down my thermostat when i leave. I live in a rent house, so a programable one is not an option. This house is in serious need of insulation.

4. I try to eat organic if there is an option. Its not that i think its any safer for my body, but why use chemicals if you dont' have to.

5. I am ashamed to admit that I drive an SUV. A midsized one. Its cheap and it hauls all my junk. However, I have this little digital guage on it that tells me how many instant miles i'm getting. Its a game when I drive to see how high I can get it. So far I've gotten it to 66 mpg. I also keep my tires inflated, my airfilter cleaned, my oil changed, and I drive slow and don't slam on the gas pedal when I take off from a stop light. Once I pay off my student loans, I'll buy a hybrid.

6. I have a worm farm :) They are my pets and I love them like I do my cat. They composte my waste food. I have a two-year old, so we waste more food that I would like to admit. Thankfully, the worms eat it all up and I can put it in my garden.

7. I grow my own veggies. I haven't started my garden yet, i'm running a little late, but I'm moving soon, so I have a reason.

8. I wash in cold water, and I use biodegradable dryer sheets. I hang certain items to dry and sometimes dry one load for each two loads of washed clothes.

9. I use wal-mart bags for trashbags. Its hard for to get around using plastic bags. When I grocery shop, I am usually hauling things out of there in an over stuffed shopping cart. So instead of buying trashbags, I use these. Its probably not the green approach, however, by usuing them its hard for me to throw away things that are too big to fit in it. I have a theory, if its too big to fit in a wal-mart bag, it probably can be recycled. I have reduced my landfill waste by 70% since i've "gone green"

There are several more little things that I do, but this blog is gettin way too long.

SO THOSE ARE WHAT I DO......This is what I WISH I DID.

1. I need to buy biodegradeble detergent, for both dishes and laundry. I use a biodegradeable counter cleaner, but I also use bleach/water in a bottle... I need to stock up on Simple Green. My mom uses that.

2. I should collect more rain water so that I can use that to water my plants instead of the faucet.

3. I need to pay more attention to the companies I purchase from. Subaru, Toyota, Target, and Nike have all made efforts to go wasteless and are environmentally conscious. However, with the exception of Target, I do not do business with any of them.

4. I will work harder to potty train my son so I can quit using disposable diapers.

5. I need to look harder for recycled products. Its called closing the loop. ;)