Saturday
20Dec2008
Being More Green: Day 5 of 15 Days of New Years Resolutions
Saturday, December 20, 2008 at 5:31AM
For many of us, we want to be more green, more environmentally friendly but convenience often trumps our efforts.
Here's where I stand on the issue. If everyone could just do what they can, even if it means little changes in habits or purchasing decisions, then there could be a large impact overall.
My family has made some minor changes in our habits as we have become more environmentally aware. We use cloth napkins and kitchen towels instead of paper towels whenever we can. We also make a point to buy eco-friendly non-toxic cleansers
for our home whenever possible. And we are transitioning all of our lightbulbs to compact fluorescent as the ones we have burn out (we're getting close to 100% in our home as I write this). We also grow our own produce and buy locally whenever possible. The fact that we have a local Whole Foods-type market within a mile of our house definitely makes that easier.Sometimes it's a matter of putting your money where your mind is. Making eco-friendly purchases with your wallet is a great way to make a change.
For example, you know those "jibbits" that all the kids love to put on their Crocs
? Meet the eco-friendly equivalent that kids can put on their backpacks, notebooks, headbands and more. 
They're called PakNaks and they're super cute! PakNak sent me quite a few and they are awesome. I'm going to be putting them in my son's stocking and using them as rewards throughout the year. And the best part? They're made from recycled plastic!This year, my family I want to start composting. We enjoyed growing our own vegetables this past summer and want to take it to the next level. Not only is composting great for the environment but it will help us yield a better harvest too.
Speaking of composting. Have you seen these awesome compostable and biodegradable tableware from Verterra?
Made from palm leaves these are not only completely eco-friendly but you can use them for your fanciest dinner party or most casual picnic. Get all the lowdown about Verterra here.And to celebrate all of us making more eco-friendly choices in 2009, I'm giving away a set of Verterra tableware. One lucky winner will win:
- (4) 6” Square Verterra plates
- (4) 10” Square Verterra plates
- (4) Verterra Bowls
- (2) 7” Verterra Trays
Here's what you have to do to win, each of the following is worth one entry:
1) Leave a comment pledging what you will do in 2009 to be more eco-friendly.
2) Tweet a link to this post encouraging others to pledge to be green and enter the contest.
3) Blog your "Green" New Year's Resolutions and link to this post.
Good luck!
Congrats Zipporah Sandler on winning the Verterra contest!
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Reader Comments (10)
I resolve to replace light bulbs with compact fluorescent ones as they burn out, and take shopping bags with me whenever I go shopping. I already use non-toxic cleaning products and shop locally/organically. One step at a time...
Our region has been in a state of drought for over a year. Our family has done a lot toward reducing water consumption. I've also added some of those reusable grocery bags, although I do a lot of shopping at a wholesale warehouse, where they don't use bags anyway. Those rising gas prices really made me think about consolidating errands. The prices have improved, but the habit has remained.
Dawn @ My Home Sweet Homes last blog post..http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MyHomeSweetHome/~3/493322773/" rel="nofollow">Swinging with the Seniors
I teach kindergarten. I will make every effort to teach them to be "green." We already use both sides of every paper, save scraps of paper for making collages and crafts. they see me tear the paper towels in half when we must use them etc.
My family already composts, uses CFL's and this year we stopped using over the counter cleaners. We use ammonia, vinegar, and baking soda primarily. We inherited a house and 10-acres of land and plan to slowly take it off-grid and use sustainable resources. My first project is a passive solar water heater.
Johns last blog post..http://anuancedworld.wordpress.com/2008/12/26/loves-standard/" rel="nofollow">Love’s Standard
Hey John, say more about the passive solar water heater...
Paul Smiths last blog post..http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/typepad/greensmithconsulting/~3/489590826/how-to-address-deforestation-sustainably-at-a-profit.html" rel="nofollow">How to Address Deforestation, Sustainably, at a Profit
I plan on taking lots of reusable bags to the store, so that my plastic bag use will be very minimal. I also want to minimize waste in any way possible. Thanks for the great giveaway!
Beeb Ashcrofts last blog post..http://contest-corner.blogspot.com/2008/12/giveaway-to-help-you-give-back.html" rel="nofollow">A Giveaway To Help You Give Back
continue recycling and reduce how much we use of almost everything, as well as reusing all bags and bringing my own bags.
Jessicas last blog post..http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MomForHim/~3/490599529/global-warming.html" rel="nofollow">Global Warming?!?
This year I will be more conscious about what I throw away in the garbage. Also, I have on order a worm farm that will reside under the kitchen sink...composting vegetable matter. We have great gardens!
I gave up on compact florescents when I found out that they emit toxic mercury vapors when they break. Also, they never lasted long at my house. They are really sensitive to temperature, voltage, and movement. So, instead, I am planning to change to LED lighting throughout the house.
We just moved to Georgia to a yard that is solid red clay. So we have a worm farm (mine is in the laundry room, because last summer, it spawned tons of flies - put in LOTS of paper to keep it from getting too damp). I am hoping my little raised beds will be ready to grow something besides that 'creepy' grass.
I am also going to work to break some destructive habits. Thus my post on resolutions is:
http://grainsofhope.blogspot.com/2008/12/riddle-as-we-contemplate-our-new-year.html" rel="nofollow">A Riddle as We Contemplate Our New Year Resolutions
I am your constant companion.
I am your greatest asset or heaviest burden.
I will push...
I love you for this post Jess! Part of what we're doing this year to be more eco-friendly is trying to transition the green actions we had become accustomed to now that we are living with family. They are not green at all, and getting them to do anything -- like stop buying single-serve bottle water or recycling -- is like pulling teeth. So we're trying our best to lead my example and show them that it is easy and absolutely worth doing. I'm going to buy a composter and sneak it into a corner in the kitchen :)
Thanks for the great giveaway!
Jennae @ Green Your Decors last blog post..http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/greenyourdecor/~3/487924992/" rel="nofollow">Simply Artistic: Wool Accent Pillows by modernwool