RE: Your best 5 green tips?
Successful:
1) mooncup
2) freecycle
3) compact flouresent bulbs
4) soapnuts
5) turning things off -- we keep our tv, dvd, and stereo on a power strip and our computer, modem and cordless phone on another, so we can turn everything completely off when we're not using them. We also burn candles in the evenings most of the time, rather than use lights.
~there's more, and I do love to brag...but we're limited to 5, right 🙂
Not so successful:
1) buying local & organic --we try, but don't always pull this off.
2) biking to work --I work from home, so no prob there. Hubby bikes through summer, but not year-round, which is his goal.
3) avoiding disposable packaging -- again, we try but haven't been able to completely avoid it.
4) hubby and I both drive 4x4 pickups--[:-]--we are in the process of selling one off though.
5) I have purchases shipped...often. Would be better if amazon had a store in my neighborhood 😉
RE: Your best 5 green tips?
Successful
1. Mooncup - definitely a Godsend.
2. No dishwasher except for the children - its how they earn pocket money.
3. No tumble dryer - bought a string four line pulley -no vaccum as wooden floors - just brush.
4. Recycle all glass, paper and garden waste.
5. No unnecessary chemicals in the house - use vinegar and soda crystals for cleaning - Ecover for dishes - Grannys soap flakes for laundry.
Also walk or cycle to work and have to date never flown in an aeroplane.
Unsuccessful
Volunteered in a charity shop - best way to get bargain clothes - had to give it up through other commitments.
RE: Your best 5 green tips?
Goodness - massive respect all round! Some of you are doing amazing things. I'minspired to do better!
RE: Your best 5 green tips?
hmm - 5 things...will try...
1.i use public transportation and do not own a vehichle - and sometimes hubby and i will walk places instead of taking buses. also makes for romantic walks in spring/summer/fall and packing a lunch to eat while we are out helps too...
2.we use energy efficiant bulbs in our apartment
3.we shop in the local markets and the local organic market
4.we buy fresh never frozen, and use all the old bits in the next nights meal (makes interesting combos and menu ideas!)
5.if there is food/clothes we cant use/eat we give away to all our friends in need....[&:]
now for the bad stuff
1.i use a garbage disposal, dont have a compacter:eek:
2.i still use my old powder soaps with washingmachine[:'(]
3.still use all the old chems for dishwasher[X(]
4.i dont recycle because i dont throw away my old containers - we always find a use for them, but there is quite a stock of old containers that could be recycled![:-]
5.i also have purchases shipped to me - and frequently....some things are just not in my neighborhood.....[&o]
RE: Your best 5 green tips?
The biggest green change that if everybody made would dramatically REDUCE global warming more than if we gave up our cars,is to go vegan- [link= http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_6040000/newsid_6046900/6046962.stm ]http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_6040000/newsid_6046900/6046962.stm[/link]
[link= http://www.goveg.com/environment.asp ]http://www.goveg.com/environment.asp[/link]
Swap all our home cleaning products to non-animal tested , environmentally friendly cleaning products.
Recycle and buy/use recycled products.
Use environmentally friendly gardening products NOT chemicals.
Buy British when poss or at least stop and think about food miles - how far has your food had to travel around the world to end up on your plate, the environment damage caused by the food miles could be huge.
Co-ordinate shop visits with your neighbours- share a car instead of both going at seperate times in two cars- share a car and go together, (if u have to use a car that is)
Stop using air freshners and just open windows instead.
Turn off your electrical goods when not in use (inc microwave), when they are on stand-by they still use as much electricity when in fully turned on.
Use and support eco-friendly companies for your bank, electricity, etc.
But like I said at the beginning the best thing ,the biggest contribution YOU can do to be environmetally friendly is to become vegan. The above links explain some of the reasons why.
[link= http://www.viva.org.uk/guides/planetonaplate.htm ]http://www.viva.org.uk/guides/planetonaplate.htm[/link]