DISQUS

Connie · 1 year ago

Taking the bus everywhere or walking. I also like using fabric bags for shopping or recyclable ones.

Linda Borland-Fitzgerald · 1 year ago

One of the simplest things that gives me pleasure every-time I use it is my spray bottle (from the dollar store) that I fill with a mix of white vinegar and filtered water. It works brilliantly on my stainless steel appliances and the glass on my re-purposed coffee table which used to be an old fashioned, wash stand. It gets a lot of attention from my guests, trying to figure out what it is. But, my absolutely favourite eco-friendly thing to do is re-purpose furniture like my coffee table or the two side boards that I painted exactly the same colours to tie them together and then placed them on either side of the fireplace. No one even realizes they're completely different.

bene · 1 year ago

Walking. I love to walk whenever and wherever. When I travel to new cities or places in the world, I have found that the best way to get to know a city is by walking. I recommend it, especially if you are visiting London. Walk through the many lovely parks, by the Thames or in the busy streets, and you will get to know the city in a whole new way. I have set myself a new goal this year and that is to stop impulse shopping! In cheap clothes stores, I may add:) I tend to buy a lot on impulse and surprise , surprise... I find them in the back of my closet a year later. Overconsumation is my pet peeve or has been. I have started to appreciate 50/60/70s design and go to thriftstores and on e-bay for a specific sum each month. And it is working! Overspending and overstuffed closeth, bye,bye ! Oh, I do love libraries as well. I love books and tend to, you guessed right, shop way to many books as well. My apartment is cramped with books and I love them all too much to get rid of them. So, no bookshops, just an art book now and then . Library therefore, is my new love. I can rent all the books I would like. And that is a lot:)

Kristin · 1 year ago

Not having a car and cycling where I have to go. This helps balance my consumption levels, too, especially at the supermarket - buy only what you can carry home. I'm with Connie - I see no reason for plastic shopping bags (nasty double-bagging practices especially!). Carrying around fold-up bags is easy and makes a huge impact.

Joanne · 1 year ago

I love taking our recycling to the recycling centre, simply because my 4 year old loves it so much. It's a big treat for him, sorting out the bottles and pushing them into the bin.

Traci · 1 year ago

Riding the commuter bus! I live about 60 miles from my office, and the place where I work is lovely enough to have a subsidized commuter bus program. So, for $60/month (about 1/4 what I would pay in gas), I can take a lovely walk down to the commuter lot and then ride peacefully for an hour. I love that hour. I can catch a nap or get some extra work done or just catch up on my reading. It's fantastic.

Virginie · 1 year ago

Now, this has been my favorite focus for the past three years.
To diminish my landfill impact, I don't buy disposables (ex: i use handkerchiefs/towels instead of tissues/paper towels). I bought a mooncup (no more pads/tampons ever).
I shop with my own bags. I try & find a 2nd life for things.
To save energy, I mostly wash at 30 degrees, hang dry my laundry & cook with lids.
I focus on shopping "natural" (no petrochemicals, synthetics, preservatives, phosphates.. etc which can pollute at production & after use). I focus on regionally sourced food.
and I speak my mind & give feedback whenever I can, to get people thinking & feed the change ; )

Gwyneth · 1 year ago

I love taking the vegetable refuse to our compost bin, we have halved our trips to the bin-skip and feel so pleased that all the proceeds will be benefiting our future consumption... Brilliant

Laurie · 1 year ago

Eliminating those store-provided plastic shopping bags by taking my cloth bags everywhere I go. I have cloth bags in the car all the time and just grab one or two whenever heading into the store. My grocery store gives me back 5 cents for every bag I use. I know that will stop soon when the policy changes (they are eliminating those bags this fall) but it is nice to get a tangible reward!

Julia · 1 year ago

I love repurposing furniture! It's eco-friendly and an outlet for creativity.

Debbie R · 1 year ago

Without a doubt, COMPOSTING kitchen & yard waste.
We recycle & compost and have less than one bag of garbage per month for our household of two people. It's amazing to see how very little needs to go to the landfill.

Kristin (The Goat) · 1 year ago

No Bags. I don't use bags. I have this "bucket" (looks like a milk-crate on wheels with a handle) that I take with me everywhere - I grocery shop with it. Fill it up at the grocery store, unload it on the conveyor belt and then load it up again. No bags. I use this bucket to haul stuff from my 5th floor condo to the car & from the car to the condo. I love it.

Suzie Sunshine · 1 year ago

Riding my bike.

Colette · 1 year ago

Avoiding the consumption of plastic by buying in bulk, bringing my own fabric bags to the store (the cargo nets from my van), reusing the bags that I do end up with and recycling any thing that can be. Besides the part of non consumptions, I plant at least one tree some where every year and sometimes it is even on Arbor Day!

Chantal · 1 year ago

Recyle my clothing...I buy used clothes and trade mine in. I keeps me out of following trends and trying to keep up - too distracting. And it stimulates my own creativity for my own fashion sense.
This helps me not participate in the extreme amount of energy that is used - from pesticides used on fabrics, petro used for importing shipments, unfair trade labor, etc. Can't remember the last time I shopped at a mall.

Mary · 1 year ago

I have several favorites, very hard to narrow down to one...so I think I'll just give my driving force. I believe our parents were doing the right thing. My mother was born Nov. 3, 1929, just a few days after the stock market crash and beginning of the depression. The people who lived through the depression had the answer. Treat everything you have as though it will be your last.
They were not a 'Throw Away Society'. I remember the applicance repair man, shoe repair man, etc. In this day and age, if it breaks, we buy a new one.
I try to use everything from a product even down to the wrapper. I really enjoy being in New England. The people here have a reputation for being frugal and misers. I see everyone here as staying with the basics to help insure a better future for our children.
I really hope some people can reflect back to see how the past can help preserve our future.

Joannie · 1 year ago

I don't use any form of pesticide, herbicide or fungicide in my garden. I live with Clematis wilt, slugs, earwigs, tomato's blossom end rot. You get the picture.

We recycle and in our city that means paper, cardboard, glass, tin, aluminum and plastic. It is picked up by the city every other week.

We have three rain barrels and only water the garden with the hose when the barrels are empty and the plants are in danger of dying. Tap water is cold and shocks the plants; conversely the water in the barrels is the same as the outdoor temperatures.

We use cloth bags provided by the supermarket. Plastic bags will soon be a thing of the past.

I compost.

I would ride my bike if I wasn't so terrified of falling. This is an age thing over which I have no control. Or at least that's how I rationalize my fear.

I used to walk every day but haven't now for a few months. Once I stopped (icy weather - fear of falling again) I'm finding it difficult to begin again.

'Just do it' needs to become my primary motto! :)

Gayle Marshall · 1 year ago

Walking

Dena · 1 year ago

My big black canvas bag - when I shop I have the goods put into my canvas bag rather than using plastic or even paper bags. I can then carry it on my shoulder for the walk home - oh yes, I don't have a car - I walk everywhere I go, with the occasional taxi ride.

Gayle Marshall · 1 year ago

I can relate Mary........and often look up and think of my deceased Mother when I wash out a zip-lock back and hang to dry for the next use.... (I've never bought zip lock bags but certain frozen berries come packaged that way at the St. Lawrence Market where I live)

love the name Mary (my Mother, both Grandmothers and my daughter's middle name)

Dena · 1 year ago

Recycling clothing is great - I must confess, I do buy new, but every season I go through my clothes and send off bags full to the Goodwill, or to stores that take clothes for women who are trying to get back into the work force and need appropriate clothes for interviews. At the moment, I probably have enough that I'm not using to clothe a village! I guess recycling it makes me feel less guilty for being so obsessive in the first place.

Cheryl · 1 year ago

Sadly, I don't make enormously huge efforts but I do opt out of the plastic bag whenever i can - if i go to a store and they put something in a bag that I can throw in my purse or just carry out to my car, i'll always tell them to keep the bag. The plastic bags and plastic packaging is so toxic is banned from some countries upon entering. They remove it from luggage before you enter. Good policy.

katieh · 1 year ago

Not learning to drive.

It means I walk everywhere, or take public transport, and the few times a year we actually hire a car become really special because i'm on a road trip with my family, and that's unusual, and sort of precious in it's own right.

It's coloured so many decisions in my life, but in a really positive way, and i don't regret it for a second.

Candis Hoey · 1 year ago

Loving nature
Eating from our garden

chantal · 1 year ago

Me too! It totally justifies my obsession with clothes. Love them!

Tammy · 1 year ago

I am recycling almost everything I can. My recycle bins overfloweth every week- I need bigger ones! I opt for no bags or paper bags when I shop at the grocery store. The paper bags get re-used for kids' art projects or splat mats and then are recycled, and I try to re-use whatever plastic bags I acquire. I wash all my laundry in cold water (unless they're really disgusting dishrags & require serious germ-killing) with non-toxic bleach alternative. Unfortunately, I live in a place where driving to get anywhere is an absolute necessity, so I try to consolidate my errands into single trips as much as possible. And finally, since I live in an extremely hot climate, our A/C is constantly running, so I've replaced most of my light bulbs with compact fluorescents (except for the lights that have dimmers- a problem I hope the geniuses work out soon), and I'm constantly turning off the lights and unplugging things that I'm not using. Wow! That's more than I thought I was doing!

Xai Vicente Charles · 1 year ago

Our family is working hard to establish good eco-friendly habits.
One of our biggest is plastic bags. We don't use them. We use eco-friendly bags to do our shopping. The plastic bags we had left or that people bring into our home get cut up and turned into strips so we can crochet them into an eco-friendly shopping bag. If you crochet and would like to do the same, here is a little instruction/information video I found on the net that helped me get started: http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2008/01/plast...

erin · 1 year ago

my family recycles. I am suprised when I started how much garbage is recycled. We bought a green friendly lawn mower. I have to admit that I mainly did it because I was tired of running out of gas and having to go get more so I bought an electric lawn mower

Linda Borland-Fitzgerald · 1 year ago

I am going to launch an in-home decor consulting business that is focused on just that,- using many of the things you already have in your home. Beach/Cottage Style is the best way to showcase painted furniture and I love it.

Kirsty · 1 year ago

Currently...it's our terracotta water filter. SAY NO TO PLASTIC BOTTLED WATER. We don't love Brita's b/c they use alot of plastic in both the pitcher and the filters. So after alot of research purchased a terracotta filter from Grassroots in Toronto. The water doesn't stagnate, it actually breathes through the terracotta; we are still using tap water so we don't have to 'purchase' bottled water or pay a company; it removes all the bacteria and chemicals we were concerned about and I can even break up the filter in the garden when every nine months.

Angela · 1 year ago

Walking to places like the library, grocery store and Walmart instead of driving....and bringing my own canvas bags

Susie Hutchinson · 1 year ago

Washing cat food cans and recycling - we go through a can a day, so it really adds up.

Jess · 1 year ago

I try to walk everywhere, use canvas bags when shopping, and using the other side of paper if it's already been printed on for printing out school notes.
I also recycle and turn off everything when not using it.

Krystl · 1 year ago

I had never heard of a mooncup so I googled it. Interesting! Do you find it really works?

Angela · 1 year ago

I'd love to 'Say no to plastic bottled water', but I drink Water Joe, a caffinated water, and Klarbrun Lime sparkling water. I'm giving up my addiction to Pepsi for health reasons, I can't stand the smell of coffee to get close enough to drink it and I don't like teas. Mixing Water Joe and Klarbrune gives me the essence of soda and my much needed caffine even though it still bottled water.

Yasmina · 1 year ago

I LOVE composting. We get such great organic vegetables from the farmers market and I hate throwing away the parts we don't eat after they were grown so lovingly. So we put all the veggie scraps in a plastic bag in the freezer, and bring them back to the farmer's market every week. It feels like a small way to show respect for the farmers who work hard to protect our soil and tread lightly on the earth.

Yasmina · 1 year ago

I never learned how to drive either, and it has forced me to be creative and open to experiences on public transportation. I think it has a little bit to do with a phobia of driving, but I'm happy that it's reduced my environmental impact.

Krystl · 1 year ago

I recycle glass, plastic, metal and paper at home. At the office, I try to print as little as possible, and recycle paper. I have a collection of cute canvas bags and shop with them whenever possible. When I do get plastic bags, I keep them and use them to carry my recycling to the garbage room in my building. I like to wrap presents like Danielle - I get National Geographic and save all the maps for wrapping. I have to admit I do also buy pretty paper to wrap with, too. I tried flourescent bulbs in my lamps, but unfortunately, I haven't found any that have a color of light that I actually like. Anyone have any brand suggestions for flourescent bulbs?

Heather · 1 year ago

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). Every week, I pick up a box of organic produce and eggs that comes from a local farm. I love being in tune with the seasonality of food. Now, I look forward to green garlic in the spring, tomatoes in the fall, and chard in the winter. And I feel really good about supporting a small farm.

katieh · 1 year ago

oh definately - i didn't make the decision based on environmental reasons when i was 17, but in the following 13 years, there have been times when life might have been easier if i had a car, but the monetary, and environmental choice to find alternatives came to the foreground. :)

Daniel Gibbons · 1 year ago

Without a doubt it's driving less. We've driven about 2,500 miles in the last year, compared to about 10,000 the year before.

Ellen · 1 year ago

Re-purposing furniture, buying and selling used clothes and STUFF, buying used books whenever I can (rest easy, C & D....I bought a NEW Style Statement!), we recycle glass, plastic and paper products, I recently moved to within walking distance of my office, decreasing detergent use, recycling plastic bags for a multitude of uses.

Kat the Drumming Diva · 1 year ago

a mother-daughter team designed something similar (first!) called a DIVA CUP, right here in kitchener-waterloo where i live. it's GREAT. simple. easy. clean. makes other types of products (tampons, pads) seem messy and wasteful (not to mention expensive.) going on a trip? just take the little diva cup, which comes in a little fabric bag. it's all good!

Kat the Drumming Diva · 1 year ago

too many to list just one:
- composting... it's magic! once you start, you can't believe how much of this rich future soil material we literally throw away.
- riding my bike... i have a super stylin electra townie! it even has a coffee holder, so what else does a girl need?
- giving away books... once i read a novel, why do i need it? i give it to someone i think would enjoy it and ask them to do the same. it's like literary karma.
- re-use glass jars to hold travelling coffee or tea. i'm not sure why, but drinks taste better (hot or cold) from a glass container. extra clean and pure.
- make your own greeting cards. call me cheap but i can't spend $4 on a greeting card. just take a piece of paper and fold it in half (you're almost done!) after that it's just a matter of using your own creativity, cutting and pasting or drawing or painting something specific to that person. people love it and keep them long after the store bought ones are thrown out. (well, hopefully recycled!)

happy green thoughts,
kat

Kim · 1 year ago

One simple easy thing I do is make juice from frozen concentrate. This way, I don't buy a new plastic jug (or cardboard carton, etc) each time I'm at the supermarket. The small frozen packages of juice are relatively tiny and because I make it in my own pitcher, I produce very little waste.

sky · 1 year ago

We recycle glass, paper,cardboard, cans, etc., switched to a stainless water bottle and fill it with tap water, buy as many items in glass containers as possible and reuse them for leftovers, glasses, etc., always use cloth shopping bags, never put produce in plastic bags, switched our lightbulbs to eco-friendly ones, hang my laundry outside (free solar dryer!), and use less detergent. WOW! I didn't know how many changes I've made!

Avril · 1 year ago

I love hanging clothes outside to dry. I also installed drying racks from IKEA on our wall to dry clothes on rainy days. It pains me to use the dryer!

Danielle LaPorte · 1 year ago

Ditto on the greetings cards. I make almost all my own cards - nothing elabourate, sometimes it's just a piece of card stock with a few symbolic words. I also give away most of my books.

Laura · 1 year ago

Sounds terrific! Do they have a website you can post?

Laura · 1 year ago

I use small "fingertip" hand towels in my kitchen to dry washed vegetables and fruit. I always know which towel is for food and which is for hands.

Caroline Armijo · 1 year ago

Quite a few...

urban living and walking everywhere
not bringing home any plastic bags (and recycling the few that slip in)
shopping at the farmer's market
maximizing my space so we won't be tempted to move into a bigger place

leanne · 1 year ago

I feel good about recycling bottles, but not the usual way.

The area where I used to live while attending University had many homeless people that would walk up and down the back lanes, looking through the dumpsters for bottles that they could take to recycling centres for money. I started leaving all my bottles in one bag, for any homeless person that should come across it first, hanging off the side of the recycling dumpster. It spared them the indignity of having to dig through trash to gather enough bottles to get some money, and provided me with a place to put a bit of extra money when I could afford it, and some food. The bag with bottles was always picked up within an hour of being set out.

Even though I didn't have a lot as a student, I did have a roof over my head, and I could spare the money from the returns. The bottles still got recycled; it was a win/win.

Twenty years later, I still go back to that same area and leave bottles as part of my monthly routine, (as well as making donations to charities to benefit people without homes, now that I can afford more.)

Caroline Armijo · 1 year ago

I forgot to add the library.

Linda Sivertsen · 1 year ago

After picking lettuce in our backyard each night for dinner, I wash the lettuce and then take that rich, green water from the salad spinner and water the houseplants with it. If they're not thirsty, I walk to the front porch and water the outdoor plants. It takes a few extra moments, but is endlessly entertaining for guests, and has even caught on with a few neighbors:)

Keiko · 1 year ago

I was raised by a mother who would shriek "POLLUTION!!!!!" out the car window as we drove past a motorist with less than perfect air-care standards. You could say that I've got some green in my blood. Some of my faves are composting (we just moved to an apartment building and didn't have space to store our compost bin, so secretly stashed it behind a big bush and continue to use it -- hopefully no one tells on us!) I never accept bags when I'm out shopping (for clothing, food, electronics, whatever. That's when it's good to be a girl and carry an over-sized bag everywhere I go anyway :). I love that many shop clerks are now asking if I need one. I like to thank them for not assuming that I do! A new one I'm trying (but I admit it's hard) is getting takeaway food packaged in my own tupperware. It means showing up a little early to collect, or planning ahead if we go out to eat. Otherwise, I walk or bus and just joined a car co-op for those rare occasions that I need one!

Keiko · 1 year ago

I know! It's amazing all the little things we can do and so cool that so many of us are actually doing them!

Danielle LaPorte · 1 year ago

Let me interrupt this eco-message to plug Linda and her son Tosh's new book: http://generationgreenthebook.com/.
Linda is one of my favourite (greenest) people I know, and she and her very smart and gorgeous kid (okay, he's 17...) have just released a great love the earth manual for youth - that a few grown ups would do well to read. I'm giving it to my tweeny and teen friends for back to school prezzies.

Danielle LaPorte · 1 year ago

we, as in everyone at the C&D; studio, bring our own glass containers to the take-out lunch place near our studio - we bought them for the staff. (Styrofoam breaks my heart.) The lunch place gives us a discount for doing so. It's a pain, but it feels really good knowing we've kept dozens and dozens of takeout foam from the landfill.

Lindsey · 1 year ago

You've inspired me! I'm huge on composting, but not so into having a little worm contraption in my apartment. I'm going to pitch the composter in the courtyard idea to my manager.

I also recycle like crazy: give away books, mags (except certain Vogues still stashed at my parents), and will separate the teeniest piece of recyclable material from something that needs to hit the trash.

Your mom sounds awesome.

Virginie · 1 year ago

Yes, it works perfectly! It's even more comfortable than a tampon. Of course, you gotta get over the fact it has no intermediate applicator. It was a tiny bit painful the first time but not the 2nd time around as I had mastered the removal moves. I wish I had known about it sooner!

Keiko · 1 year ago

Things were certainly made to last back in the day! I recently inherited a beautiful old 1960's kitchen mixer from a family member. Every part of it is made from metal and it weighs a ton, but boy, that baby still whips up those egg whites like a dream and I love that it's got so much history behind it!

Carrie McCarthy · 1 year ago

I am going to use your cleaning tip, thanks Linda!

Keiko · 1 year ago

We asked our building manager for permission to store it "legally" somewhere on the property, to which she replied: "If we let you, we'll have to let everyone." And I thought: "That's a bad thing?" But she's coming around. We recently got approval to start a little "apartment community garden" on our lawns which is a huge deal! Then we'll be needing compost and hopefully our bin can come out of hiding. (And yes, my mum IS awesome ;)

Carrie McCarthy · 1 year ago

Wow, simplifying your life Bene. Did you know you can rent movies from the library, they also fill requests!

Carrie McCarthy · 1 year ago

Love your commitment Virginie, way to go!

Vanessa Rae · 1 year ago

I try to buy our veggies at our local farmers market, I use re-usable bags for almost EVERYTHING and we recycle. I look forward to teaching my son the importance of taking care of our Earth!

Carrie McCarthy · 1 year ago

My sister washes out her zip-locks and reuses!

Carrie McCarthy · 1 year ago

How lovely that you pass it on.

Laura · 1 year ago

Pink Solution. This enzyme cleaner is non-toxic, organic and biodegradable, safe for pets and children, and can be used for everything. I've been using it on floors for a couple of years but I'm going to start using it for everything, including laundry. You can read more about it and get lots of tips on how to use it at pinksolution.ca. It was developed with the guidance of UBC research. Imagine if we all started using this!

Carol · 1 year ago

Trading in the motor boat for a sailboat!!
And I get my news online - no newspapers, ever.

Carrie McCarthy · 1 year ago

what a great idea for using lettuce juice! Thanks Linda!

Ruth · 1 year ago

I bring my own bags when doing groceries and try to bring in my lunches to work to avoid take-out food that comes in plastic containers. Whatever plastic garbage I do accumulate I take home, since my office doesn't recycle plastic. I try to take off the lights when their are not needed, especially at work (why does the light in the supply room need to be on all night?) I first switched all of our cleaning supplies to biodegradable ones and now learn to make them myself (mostly vinegar and baking soda). I'm currently doing the same with personal hygiene products, e.g. using baking soda and vinegar rinses instead of shampoo and conditioner (works great). I am teaching myself how to cook and bake things from scratch so I don't have to buy bread that comes packaged in plastic or chicken soup that is canned (tastes much better, too). Since I am a student, I use scrap paper for my notes. Instead of buying CDs we download and I just signed up at www.paperbackswap.com to swap books instead of buying new ones. Signed up for online bills instead of paper ones. I reuse my glass bottle for beverages and baby food jars for snacks. My husband will build a frame with mesh for me so I can make my own paper for greeting cards, etc. And I tell everyone who cares to listen about it (while trying not to sound preachy). Today, for example, I am holding a presentation on the garbage patch in the Pacific. Instead of jumping on the "green" wagon, it is really more about going back to the basics and living intentionally. All of the modern conveniences are great and sometimes vital (medicine), but have really put our life on autopilot.

Carly · 1 year ago

The library has got to be one of the world's best inventions! How often does a book get read once (or never) and it goes to waste. I almost never buy books anymore unless it's one I adore.

MoJo · 1 year ago

Wow - great answers and ideas! I recycle glass, plastic, metal and paper at home. I never buy wrapping paper/bags and am still recycling gift bags/wrap from over 10 years ago (it's an ongoing joke with my family to give me back the wrapping or re-gift it on another occasion!) Also make cards. Have a collection of eco-bags that I keep everywhere (car, bike, purse) so there's never a need for plastic - plus my purse is more like a carry-on bag so it works for little shopping too! Make my own room-spritzes, water, a few drops of lavender, bergamot, geranium and clary sage - works well in epsom salts too for a nice bath! MAC has a great program where you can return used makeup containers for recycling, and get new product in return - love MAC. And of course the coffee tumbler (my big addiction) - so many places offer discounts now when you bring them in. Recycle clothing/do clothing swaps. Book trading - we have a sitting room in our building where everyone brings their books - like a little library which is contsntly refreshed...

Kristin (The Goat) · 1 year ago

There are these three wheeled trikes that are fantastic. They are so steady and there is a basket, a big basket, between the two back wheels. My mother is getting one and she is thrilled to be able to go grocery shop and put everything in the basket and not worry about tipping over.

Cecile · 1 year ago

Yes I agree with Danielle... Gift wrapping is a hot button with me. So are greeting cards. What a waste of paper and cash!!
So, to answer the question: my favorite eco-friendly habit is to use glass instead of plastic and filter water. I akso use the eco bags from Publix instead of paper or plastic.

There is so much we can do to help... People are lazy. It's easier to put "it" in the trash than recycle... and I can go on...

Love you all.

Cécile

Carly · 1 year ago

Using cloth napkins instead of paper. They make every meal seem more special, and can just be tossed in the wash with your cold water load. Sturdy cotton multicolored ones are practically stainproof, too.

Cecile · 1 year ago

Question oh mighty recycling MoJo (LOVE that name couldn't help myself) How do we recycle the coffee filters? Empty the grounds on the azaleas, gardenias, et al and place the paper in withthe newspapers?

Cécile

Cecile · 1 year ago

Wonderful, just wonderful!! I just ned to train my SIL to make sure he doesn't wipe the red wine with them. Not funny. The guy is a trip!! That's another bagagge I wish I could unload.

Cécile

Joannie · 1 year ago

These trikes sound wonderful. I'll have to check them out! You'll see me 'whizzing' around the neighbourhood! :)

Cecile · 1 year ago

Mes amis,
This blog is mind blowing! What a treasure of people!!!! Linda your re-purpose idea is sheer genius. You must pursue the idea of launching a business!!!! We are doing the same thing in our famiky!!! We oen wing chairs that are over 35 years old!!!!

Cécile

hadley · 1 year ago

I love this. Thanks

alligator_kate · 1 year ago

Composting! I used to think that when biodegradable garbage went into a landfill, it was like putting it in a very slow, huge compost pile. I now know that this is not true. There is no oxygen in a landfill, because the gas that the pile would emit would cause explosions. This means that guacamole thrown into a landfill in the 1960's is still green today.... Compost is an amazing, alchemical process that transforms our waste into balm for the earth. It gives me such satisfaction to do it, and it is very easy. I live in Manhattan, and compost in my local community garden in a rat proof "garden gourmet".

MoJo · 1 year ago

Cécile! I use a metal filter at home and you're right - I do occasionally put the grounds in my potted beauties! I'm also trying to get our building to start a communal compost - slow going, but we'll get there. Sadly, I drink waaay to much coffee to put it all in my plants ;-) BTW - you're posts always make me smile...your on-line self exudes 'joie de vivre'! xo

alligator_kate · 1 year ago

Buy unbleached filters. You can compost them along with the used coffee grounds. If you don't have a compost pile going yet, just bury them by those azaleas, etc.

Cecile · 1 year ago

Mon cherie MoJo,

Oh a compost pile!!! Love it!! You are using the gold filer no? BTW coffee grounds make excellent deodorizer...seriously!! That's why airlines place them behind the lavatory doors!! Really! Put ithem in snall attractive containers and Voila! Instant odor control!! Bathrooms, basements, et al...

Joie de vivre... indeed!! I wish I could live forever!!! I just don't have time to do all the things I want to do!! My days ought to be 48 hrs long!!!Merci mille for the compliment! XOXO, too! ;-)

Cécile

Cecile · 1 year ago

Yes, I do use the unbleached filters. I just didn't know you could recycle them with the compost!

Great idea!!

Cécile

Danielle LaPorte · 1 year ago

BTW, some great eco-resources:
http://treehugger.com/
http://www.ecosalon.com/
and of course:
http://unclutterer.com/

Cecile · 1 year ago

What goes into this Manhattan compost pile? Everythuing that is biodegradable or just veggie peelings, and that sort of natural stuff... Cécile

Steve · 1 year ago

Well I'd have to say first and foremost I try and avoid using paper at all costs. I don't have a fax number, rarely print anything and I can't remember the last time I sent something in the mail. Second I would say food shopping - buying processed food adds to the decline of our environment in so many ways, not just manufacturing. In the end, we also get a health benefit...its a win-win situation.

leanne · 1 year ago

You're welcome Hadley.
It's a really small thing compared to what others do/have done, but as an 18 year old, small-town-girl who was new to the big city, and seeing real poverty and homelessness for the first time in her life, it was the first thing that popped into my head to do to help the people, and help the planet. (My dad was born on Earth Day, and we tease him that it is no wonder all of his children have ended up being borderline eco-freaks.)

alligator_kate · 1 year ago

veggie peelings, tea bags, coffee grounds, egg shells, shredded newspaper (ny times and village voice both use soy based ink) garden waste, etc. It takes me on average 15 minutes a day.... and some days I skip, leave the compost in the fridge...
Great thing to do with a neighbor who can be a compost buddy for city dwellers--- this halves the work for each person, and soon more join in the fun. I predict that in 10-15 years everyone will be composting. It is such an elegant, simple solution...

hadley · 1 year ago

It's not a small thing at all. It work on so many levels. I'm also a small town girl - I grew up in a Mennonite area of Ohio in the 40's/50's. So when my children were young and living in a city, they had to put up with composting (before it became acceptable), recycling (before there were public facilities), and of course walking in demonstrations, volunteering in uncomfortable situations... well, the list goes on and on. Their earliest memory was in Philadelphia when, at ages 2,4, and 5, their 'job' was to take their wagon around the block and pick up and dispose of the litter. Thankfully, they remember this fondly and continue to do their bit for our planet.

Carol Z · 1 year ago

Composting, using cloth bags for shopping, recycling anything I can, using environmentally friendly cleaning products.

Steph · 1 year ago

So many great ideas - it's not so hard being green after all, eh!

Here are a few of my most favorite green resources:
1. Apartment style composting (without the worms!) - amazing! Though my patio garden does not need all of the soil I create, I simply dump it under a tree in the park. Easy enough.
http://www.greatday.ca/

2. Nice Little Eco-Cleaners - make cleaning the floors, doing dishes, even scrubbing the bathroom an aromatherapy experience! http://www.sapadilla.com/

3. Best EVER canvass totes. Why you ask? Because when you are tired of it, you can compost it and buy a new one! (And you know if they make the cover of Oprah they are truly fab.)
http://www.greenoneventures.com/

And for a good shot of green inspiration, check out what this guy is doing...getting rid of oil - woot woot!
http://www.wired.com/cars/futuretransport/magaz...

Tara · 1 year ago

I'm mental for recycling! When the kids go to McDonalds, I make them take the rubbish home so we can recycle it, same goes for any other cups or boxes we use while we're out. And I never use disposable cups or plates when we have parties. Also, everyone in our house is to frightened to use the clothes drier, they ask me for permission first!

Kristin · 1 year ago

That's a great idea to stick the scraps in the freezer! I don't have a garden but there's a community compost place nearby - was trying to think of a way to keep the scraps without smelling up the flat. Huge thanks, Yasmina!

Kristin · 1 year ago

Same with the greeting cards - I also cut off the front page of cards others send me and gluestick them on recycled card stock. Agreed, far more creative.

Kristin · 1 year ago

Congrats on the book, Linda! Best of luck with it!!

Carrie McCarthy · 1 year ago

Don't you love the smell of laundry hung outside?

Carrie McCarthy · 1 year ago

I am inspired to use my dryer less!

Carrie McCarthy · 1 year ago

Your teachings are inspiring!

Carrie McCarthy · 1 year ago

Steph,thanks for the resource gems! If anyone is building a house or renovating check out Dwell magazine. Cool green design!
http://www.dwell.com/

thepoet · 1 year ago

After shower or bath, put on deodorant while still wet. You will be amazed at how much longer it lasts. Further, it goes on smoother, leaves no residue and works as well. Im with you Carrie on picking up litter, it drives me crazy. I live at the beach and the cigarette butts in the sand make me want to scream.

Kirsty · 1 year ago

Hi Laura...yes, the name of the filter, made by artisans in Brazil is Stefani. There is a Canadian distributor who sells through Grassroots in T.O. For more info, here is a link to a recent story on Treehugger.com about them:

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/05/stephan...

If you are seriously considering one, I can give you more of my insight with it...it is a behavioral change!

karen · 1 year ago

Saving water by taking a (small) bath instead of a shower -- and bathing every other day when i am not as active or if i am at home (I do work from home). It has become a relaxing ritual.

Buying more whole foods and bulk foods -- Less packaging and better for you. And organically growing some of my own food -- so rewarding.

Carrie McCarthy · 1 year ago

I made 100 linen napkins for my wedding 5 years ago, gave away many as gifts and we use ours every night!

Cecile · 1 year ago

A. Kate,

Your idea/habit is soooo inspiring... You know... I adore Manhattan. I lived in Bergen County in Franjlin Lakes for yrars before I moved to Miami. So Iknow Manhattan well and I go up every chance I get. My son lives there close to Gramercy. I'd love to live in the City. I really LOVE New York. I can very well imagine that finding a compost buddy would be a great way to start a group and make good friends... Well, if we were closer I'd join you!!!
I had no idea the NYT and the Voice used soy ink! All that goes in the pile!! Very, very interesting...

Keep me posted regarding your ptogress with the community effort!

Fondly,

Cécile

Cecile · 1 year ago

Cigarette butts in the sand.... Unbelievable that in this day and age people would do such a thing... It is so sad... It's like watching people talk about global warmmg as they throw glass and paper in the trash, instead of recycling.

Cécile

Cecile · 1 year ago

So....... who are they in the house? Your children? Just curious: do you have a nice, sunny space to put a clothes line? I'd love that!

Cécile

Cecile · 1 year ago

Kirsty, please tell me more... Who in Toronto? How often replace the filter? Nine months? How large is the filter and how cool is the water? I am in the same frame of mind: no plastic.

Cécile

Cecile · 1 year ago

Sorry I asked about something you had already posted... ;-( I will pursue this because we used to have a filter when I was a chikd, and I remember the water always being nice and cool...

Cécile

Stephanie · 1 year ago

Not consuming much - not eating more than I need (and therefore not buying more food than we need as a family; and we are all about the weight we should be).

The clothes I buy are often used - ebay is a great source for gently used clothes. Sure, they are shipped, but new clothes are shipped too. Also if I buy new clothes I like to buy quality. I only have so much space to store everything so I make sure that it is nice.

Also, I use eco-friendly cleaners and always havebecause I have asthma!

Lastly, I pick up at least 6 pieces of garbage a day. I heard that it is a public campaign in Switzerland, and ever since then, I made a commitment to do it too!

Cecile · 1 year ago

Lastly, I pick up at least 6 pieces of garbage a day.

From the street? From where? Please explain it to me a little more. I am inerested.

Cécile

Mel · 1 year ago

Education. I like to educate my children on how our actions and habits impact everyone! I've taught them about recycling and gardening, and we walk or bike everywhere that we can instead of taking the car. I encourage them to read instead of watching the TV or playing on the computer. We've also learned together which "energy vampires" in our house can be unplugged at night. We've even been green bagging most of our groceries for a number of years.

We're all learning together and trying to make a positive influence on the people and environment we live in. I'm happy that what we're learning together is helping to make them conscientious young women.

Cecile · 1 year ago

Please share which are the energy vampires you unplug at night.

Cécile

P.S. I am really enjoying this particular Q & A topic. I find I am learning quite a bit!

Tara · 1 year ago

Our place is like a big commune, Mum & Dad next door, my nanna in a granny flat, and another friend who lives with us + the kids. The drier just happens to be in my laundry, so when people arrive with their wet laundry I send them out to the clothes line!

Liz · 1 year ago

My freezer. I never throw away food, get an organic veg box delivered each week which forces me to cook imaginitively as i never know what i'm gonna get. Anything past it's best goes into soups and stews which i freeze- also freeze fresh herbs, leftover wine (in ice cube trays for risotto etc) egg whites, butter, parmesan, blanched veg, soft fruits for smoothies- even black bananas for banana cake and deserts, stale bread makes breadcrumbs.....

Mel · 1 year ago

I unplug the microwave, toaster oven, TVs (we have 3) and other entertainment equipment, laptop, and my kids' computer. We don't have much else plugged in, but that's plenty...

I recommend unplugging anything that doesn't take forever to re-program when you plug it back in. Of course, you should always leave the refrigerator and gas stove plugged in for health and safety reasons.

Mel · 1 year ago

Oh, I forgot to mention that I have most of these things on surge protectors, so all I have to do is pull one plug for multiple items. It's so much faster and easier that way...

Alison · 1 year ago

Another one for the Mooncup! Its stellar. It doesn't smell. You don't have to throw anything away. Its clean, environmentally sound, comfortable and I find that I have fewer cramps when I wear it! Its so much less of a hassle. I love it.

Elisabeth · 1 year ago

Have you ever tried a Naked Lady party? A group of women gets together and brings all their unwanted clothes. We put them in a huge pile, and go shopping! Usually everyone finds one or two items that suit her perfectly, and any leftovers go to charity. It's a fun social event, saves cash and resources, cleans out closets, and gives back to the community. A great invention! :D

lisa · 1 year ago

It's not about favorite eco friendly habit for me, it's about affordable eco habit and for now I can only afford green household appliances with lower energy consume.
http://pool-and-billiards.com/maytag-parts.html