Hey! I love the idea of going green. I've been trying to be more responsible for the last few years, recycling, composting, as well as not buying any new/mass produced gifts (unless they help the environment) during the holiday season (think etsy, ebay etc). When I started looking for a car last spring I knew I wanted to be more environmentally friendly in my decision. After a lot of research, I settled on the VW TDI, clean diesel. I noticed you said hybrid was the route you'd go, but just thought I'd throw it out there that I found diesel engines to be much cleaner. The gas burns cleaner and there's no battery to be discarded every several years basically making a diesel car less disposable than a hybrid. And the mileage is the same or better than hybrids. The last two years a diesel car has won the Green Car of the Year award, it was the VW and then an Audi. — http://bit.ly/5o1NVL — Just throwing it out there because it was something I found really interesting and REALLY surprising. Especially with all of the media/celebrity push on hybrid cars. — http://bit.ly/eOxgp —
I've bought my glass jars from Ikea and I actually love storing leftovers in them, your leftovers look a zillion times more appetizing. Any glass jars would work though, including rinsed out spaghetti sauce jars. Also, the no cloth paper towels rock.
On another note, I know a lot of people now a days who are doing cloth diapering as an alternative since diapers are super awful and you use a ton.
Well, I do small things like saving all paper for scratch paper and then recycling that paper. I also never wet my toothbrush before I brush my teeth. Oh, and I don't wash my face at night so that saves on a ton of water.
I love the idea of being green! I only really came on the 'green scene' this past year. But once I learned about ways to help the earth, I wondered why we all weren't living that way. I still don't know. I guess those are just questions no one can answer.. But for me, being green is small steps right now. I unplug, and turn off lights when I'm not using them, I HATE using plastic, and always bring a tote bag when shopping. I use a recyclable toothbrush, and turn off water when I don't need it. Recycle the things I can. Love the idea of a eco-friendly house! Wish more people were like you and wanting to help our earth!
I'm a pretty new follower (and MA resident too) and my husband and I have been talking a lot about going green as we're in the process of buying our first home. We also bought a 2005 Prius last fall and it's changed my life. I drive about 25 miles (one way) to work, so it's been a money saver for sure. We also started ordering weekly produce from Boston Organics. I grew up in Colorado (mostly) so recycling has been a huge part of my vocab 🙂 It makes me so happy when I have to empty the recycling as much or more as the trash!
I've had solar panels on my roof for 10 years — I bought my system but now you can lease panels for zero-down from sungevity.com. Big electricity savings! Also, your school can raise money through the sungevity.org Beyond the Bake Sale solar fundraising program.
I got solar panels years ago when the tax rebates were great and have been thrilled! I no longer have to cringe everytime the power company raises it's rates! We are still super conservative about using power (air dry clothes/dishes, lower temps in winter, less AC in summer, curly bulbs, turn things off…), but it's a nice feeling to not have to stress! I'm also doing a lot in my garden – fruit trees and veggies and then preserving for later (talk about eating local and healthy). And, my latest project is rainwater harvesting! I have big cisterns that the water goes into (out of gutter on roof) and I then use that water for my garden! Win, win!
My challenge is getting my family to compost everything that can be composted. I am always taking stuff out of the trash that could be composted s8r8l33 at yahoo dot com
We compost, reduce, reuse, reuse again, and recycle! We also reduce heat in winter and unplug items we dont use regularly. I also limit hot water use. OUr biggest energy problem is the a/c in the scorching summer. It HAS to be on.
we are slowly moving over to a greener life, but it is hard to transition some times..we have our garden, recycle, use reusable bags, only have one vehicle, etc, but I am sure there is much more we can do
In the summer we grew our own produce, we are turning our heat down in the winter and I am trying to constantly remind my family to turn off lights that aren't being used. Diane Baum esldiane@gmail.com
Hey! I love the idea of going green. I've been trying to be more responsible for the last few years, recycling, composting, as well as not buying any new/mass produced gifts (unless they help the environment) during the holiday season (think etsy, ebay etc).
When I started looking for a car last spring I knew I wanted to be more environmentally friendly in my decision. After a lot of research, I settled on the VW TDI, clean diesel. I noticed you said hybrid was the route you'd go, but just thought I'd throw it out there that I found diesel engines to be much cleaner. The gas burns cleaner and there's no battery to be discarded every several years basically making a diesel car less disposable than a hybrid. And the mileage is the same or better than hybrids. The last two years a diesel car has won the Green Car of the Year award, it was the VW and then an Audi. — http://bit.ly/5o1NVL —
Just throwing it out there because it was something I found really interesting and REALLY surprising. Especially with all of the media/celebrity push on hybrid cars. — http://bit.ly/eOxgp —
I'm with you all the way. GO GREEN!
I don't know if you read the blog Lovely Morning but it is gorgeous and I've been trying to take some queues from her green living posts. One of my favorites is this post about less waste kitchen alternatives : http://lovelymorning.com/index.php/2010/09/less-waste-kitchen-alternatives/
I've bought my glass jars from Ikea and I actually love storing leftovers in them, your leftovers look a zillion times more appetizing. Any glass jars would work though, including rinsed out spaghetti sauce jars. Also, the no cloth paper towels rock.
On another note, I know a lot of people now a days who are doing cloth diapering as an alternative since diapers are super awful and you use a ton.
Well, I do small things like saving all paper for scratch paper and then recycling that paper. I also never wet my toothbrush before I brush my teeth. Oh, and I don't wash my face at night so that saves on a ton of water.
I love the idea of being green! I only really came on the 'green scene' this past year. But once I learned about ways to help the earth, I wondered why we all weren't living that way. I still don't know. I guess those are just questions no one can answer..
But for me, being green is small steps right now. I unplug, and turn off lights when I'm not using them, I HATE using plastic, and always bring a tote bag when shopping. I use a recyclable toothbrush, and turn off water when I don't need it. Recycle the things I can.
Love the idea of a eco-friendly house! Wish more people were like you and wanting to help our earth!
No surprise here, I love being as green as possible. But it can be hard… that's why this bulb would be a great one. a simple way to be green-er.
I tweeted about it!
@sgmtucker i want this bulb! @itsahuntlife http://itsahuntlife.blogspot.com/2011/02/ges-eco-challenge.html
I'm a pretty new follower (and MA resident too) and my husband and I have been talking a lot about going green as we're in the process of buying our first home. We also bought a 2005 Prius last fall and it's changed my life. I drive about 25 miles (one way) to work, so it's been a money saver for sure. We also started ordering weekly produce from Boston Organics. I grew up in Colorado (mostly) so recycling has been a huge part of my vocab 🙂 It makes me so happy when I have to empty the recycling as much or more as the trash!
Tweet, tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/bbgoad/status/37887880621858817
Bleh, I can't believe your disposal company doesn't do recycling! Sounds like you're doing a great job with everything else, though : )
There are a few things we do, and a few things we want to get better at:
• washing glass jars (jam, spaghetti sauce) to use for storing leftovers instead of buying tupperware/ziplock bags
• riding our bikes/taking the bus whenever possible
• looking for used items (furniture, electronics) before we buy new ones
• bringing reusable bags to the grocery store
• open the windows at night during summer so we don't have to use AC during the daytime
Very cool post, B!
unplug it all-
think about what you are doing- wash by hand if you have the time and not a full load
seal and weatherstrip
There are so many ways to conserve. Wash full loads of clothes and dishes.. not together..lol
whit1966@gmail.com
I've had solar panels on my roof for 10 years — I bought my system but now you can lease panels for zero-down from sungevity.com. Big electricity savings! Also, your school can raise money through the sungevity.org Beyond the Bake Sale solar fundraising program.
I got solar panels years ago when the tax rebates were great and have been thrilled! I no longer have to cringe everytime the power company raises it's rates! We are still super conservative about using power (air dry clothes/dishes, lower temps in winter, less AC in summer, curly bulbs, turn things off…), but it's a nice feeling to not have to stress! I'm also doing a lot in my garden – fruit trees and veggies and then preserving for later (talk about eating local and healthy). And, my latest project is rainwater harvesting! I have big cisterns that the water goes into (out of gutter on roof) and I then use that water for my garden! Win, win!
My biggest challenge is the three kids who haven't learned to turn off a light switch. I am queenesperfect at yahoo.com
My challenge is getting my family to compost everything that can be composted. I am always taking stuff out of the trash that could be composted
s8r8l33 at yahoo dot com
We compost, reduce, reuse, reuse again, and recycle! We also reduce heat in winter and unplug items we dont use regularly. I also limit hot water use. OUr biggest energy problem is the a/c in the scorching summer. It HAS to be on.
we are slowly moving over to a greener life, but it is hard to transition some times..we have our garden, recycle, use reusable bags, only have one vehicle, etc, but I am sure there is much more we can do
trippyjanet at hotmail dot com
our challenge is using too much hot water. We lowered the hot water heater temp a few degrees and now save a lot of money
ardy22 at earthlink dot net
tweet
http://twitter.com/#!/Ardy22/status/42299678108303360
ardy22 at earthlink dot net
My biggest challenge is air seeping through the windows and doors that are too thin or not sealed well enough.
lazybones344 at gmail dot com
My biggest problem is getting the kids to turn off the lights when they leave the room.
donna444444@yahoo.com
In the summer we grew our own produce, we are turning our heat down in the winter and I am trying to constantly remind my family to turn off lights that aren't being used.
Diane Baum
esldiane@gmail.com