It’s a big world out there, and keeping it clean is a big
task
– sometimes too big, with our busy lives. That’s why that
occasional soda bottle ends up in the garbage can instead of the
recycling bin, and that box of packaged food seems like such a
better deal than the locally grown, organic version.
It’s a big world out there, and keeping it clean is a big task – sometimes too big, with our busy lives. That’s why that occasional soda bottle ends up in the garbage can instead of the recycling bin, and that box of packaged food seems like such a better deal than the locally grown, organic version. But, believe it or not, little things can make a big difference.
So if you’re interested in going green, even just a little bit, don’t be intimidated. It’s not about judging, says Kate Macaulay, co-owner with Michael Johnson of Green Living in Lakewood, Texas. “One woman said she was scared to come into the store because she drives an SUV,” Macaulay says. “But we’re just happy she came in.”
Going green doesn’t make your life more complicated; it’s about simplifying. By making small changes you can save water and electricity, live healthier and help protect the environment.
Macaulay and Johnson learned a lot about simplicity when they lived overseas. “We’d see people live more simply, and to them it’s a way of life,” Macaulay says. Johnson had a pair of shoes with holes in the bottom and threw them in the trash, thinking they were useless. But a woman who cared for their home asked if she could have them. “It’s about finding a use for everything,” Macaulay says. “We wanted to apply what we learned when we came home and try to influence others.”
We talked with them about simple, low-cost eco-changes that can make a big impact. You can build your eco-conscience gradually, and learn to love how easy it is – and how good it feels – to go green.
WAYS YOU’RE ALREADY GREEN
– You get your coffee from Starbucks. The company may be super-corporate, but they offer Fair Trade coffees, which ensure that coffee farmers are paid a fair price, and invest in social programs in coffee-growing communities. If you prefer supporting non-chain coffee shops, ask them to offer Fair Trade selections.
– You download music to an MP3 player. Have you stopped buying CDs? You’re already cutting waste.
– You buy or sell on eBay. You get rid of stuff you don’t need without trashing it, and you reduce the amount of packaging used to make new products.
– You don’t rinse before putting dishes in the dishwasher. Consumer Reports tests show rinsing first doesn’t improve cleaning. By skipping this step, you’ll save up to 20 gallons of water per load, or 6,500 gallons per year.
GREEN GLOSSARY
Being “green” means being aware of your responsibility to the environment and to the community. Here are other common green terms and their meanings:
– Organic: Organic food is produced by farmers who place an emphasis on renewable resources and soil and water conservation, and use minimal pesticides as defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Organic meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. The term “organic” must be certified by the USDA. Visit www.ams.usda.gov/ nop for more information.
– Fair Trade: Fair Trade helps family farmers in developing countries gain direct access to international markets, allowing them to compete fairly and receive a fair price. This also deters cost-cutting practices that diminish quality. Look for the fair trade certification on products, and visit www.transfairusa.org for information.
– Shade grown: If you buy Fair Trade certified coffee, tea and chocolate, it is usually shade-grown. This means that the products you buy provide shelter for migratory birds and help reduce global warming.
– Sustainable: A method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged.
– Biodegradable: The product has the ability to break down, safely and relatively quickly, by biological means, into raw materials of nature and disappear into the environment.
STEPS YOU CAN TAKE IN YOUR HOME
LAUNDRY ROOM
OLD WAY: Regular laundry detergent
NEW WAY: Green laundry detergent
WHY? Most regular detergents are petroleum-based and contain chemicals that are discharged into our water system, which can harm aquatic life. Green detergents such as Seventh Generation and Ecover are nontoxic and made with plant-based, biodegradable ingredients, saving oil for other uses.
COST: Green detergents also use fewer fillers, so you don’t need to use as much per load of laundry, Macaulay says. Select mass-merchandisers carry a selection of green cleaning products.
LIVING ROOM
OLD WAY: Incandescent light bulbs
NEW WAY: Compact fluorescent light bulbs
WHY? According to Energy Star, a government-backed program that helps people protect the environment through energy efficiency, compact fluorescent light bulbs use 66 percent less energy than a standard incandescent bulb and last up to 10 times longer. They also are cooler to the touch.
COST: Replacing a 100-watt incandescent with a 23-watt compact fluorescent bulb can save you about $20 in energy costs over about three years, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
GARDEN
OLD WAY: Gas lawnmower
NEW WAY: Push lawnmower
WHY? Push lawnmowers aren’t new, but they’re healthier for you and the environment. You don’t have to buy gas, you get more exercise, and you don’t pollute the air or your lungs.
COST: A push mower is available at Target, Home Depot and elsewhere for about $90, while gas lawnmowers cost about $200 to $400 (not including gas).
OFFICE
OLD WAY: Pay bills by mail
NEW WAY: Pay bills electronically
WHY? It saves paper. There’s no need to be wary of doing your business online, say experts at Symantec, manufacturer of Internet security and anti-virus software. The risk is minimal if you keep your software updated. “You shouldn’t be overly concerned,” says Symantec’s Bill Rosenkrantz. “Most banks are protecting themselves better, too.”
COST: You’ll save on stamps and on time spent hunched over the shredder.
