Just 5 - what have you done successfully? and 5 unsuccessful projects?
Here are mine
1) Mooncup - it's a ladies only thing but I think it definitely has environmental benefits!
2) Recycling - we are now in a trial where ordinary waste gets picked up fortnightly but they come weekly for all organic waste (we wrap it in newspaper and put it in a lockable bin). This includes meat, plate scrapings, and if I can ever get the strength to open those jars of pickled onions it will include those too.
Also plastic bottles, cardboard, tins, paper, glass. What seems to be left is plastic containers and bags. I take the bags to the charity shop.
3) Ecovercleaning products. I did try soapnuts and will probably use them again, but Ecover is better.
4) Glass jam jars to put my spices in.
5) discovering [link= http://www.freecycle.org ]www.freecycle.org[/link] - if you want anything or have anything to get rid oflook them up to see if there is a scheme in your area. There is always furniture being offered andtaken on mine, but some of the more bizarre items have been a skeleton and size 11 stilletoes.
Unsuccessful
1) my own compost
2) soapnuts
3) cycling - I'll have to recycle that idea!
4) turning everything off - must try harder
5) making slow progress on converting to low energy bulbs
RE: Your best 5 green tips?
not sure I can come up with 5 but:
Have trained all my family to buy second hand clothes and furniture as much as possible
we take all our surplus household items to our local recycling centre where they run an excellent shop reselling everything that's in reasonable condition.
i do my best to drive at 56mph because I've heard that's the most fuel efficient speed
reuse envelopes
use newspaper (we only get one a week) to wrap birthday and christmas presents - recipients think this is pretty novel!
i also use glass jars but for fridge storage of leftovers - before they go in the soup!
didn't get on withClearspring productsin my eco-dishwasher - all my glasses went white and I had wash all the cutlery again by hand.
i use LOC cleaning products - don't know how eco friendly compared with ecover but all biodegradable.
RE: Your best 5 green tips?
Hi,
Thanks for posting this - great idea...
Succeses
1) Composting
2) Growing stuff e.g. greens, leeks, etc. plus harvesting & preserving the wild berries, plums, elderberries, etc. in our garden using reclaimed jars.
3) Use (gas powered) launderette as opposed to having own washing machine.
4) Use public transport for commuter journeys.
5) Seperate & re-use/recycle everything that is recyclable.
6) Use green household products e.g. paints, recyled fixtures/fittings, use eco-cleaning products (ecover, vinegar, bicarb, lemon juice), etc.
7) Shop locally
Non Successes
1) Cycling - have a fold-up bike but find it easier to walk. This is the year though!
2) Reducing our energy bill - low energy bulbs, putting heating off but no matter what we try we still use too much.
3) Growing 'big veggies' - can't get the hang of carrots at all but definately providing a service for hungry carrot fly.
4) Still have a vehicle. Like the 56 mph thing - might try that.
5) Still buytoo muchat the Tesco rather than local shops.
Thanks
Shona
RE: Your best 5 green tips?
Thankyou for these wonderful tips ~ I don't have any to add at the moment but these will get me started on the green band wagon!!!
One extratip - is to give unwanted christmas presents (as long as not too expensive)to schools for there raffles and tombolas!
Laura
RE: Your best 5 green tips?
Great idea Sharon!
Successes:
1. Composting yes and no and yes - worked a treat when i lived in the country but in london it seemed a no-goer until I scrounged some worms from a friends heap - mine is now heaving with wiggly things and a success again! Oh yeah and add my used couch roll to it as well lol
2. Growing runner beans a while back
3. Purchased envelope re-use labels from a recent trip to the Eden Project
4. No longer buy veggies from supermarkets - use either Abel & Cole organic box scheme or visit my local indoor city farmers market - fantastic!
5. Take advantage ofcouncil collectionsre-use re-cycle sort everything out for weekly collection and just received a "no junk mail" sticker for the door - works a treat!
Unsuccessful
1. Drive more than Ishould in the winter months
2. Don't re-cycle my plastic items (yoghurt potsand ice creamtubs yes, everything else in the bin:(
3. Low energy lightbulbs -Don't like the light they give off, can't see a blooming thing to read- maybe eyes need testing again!
4. Switching off electrical items and not leaving them on standby
5. Can't think of any more - I'm happy with what I've achieved but will try some of the suggestions in these posts - Ta!
Best wishes
Lilly