February 1st, 2008
Tree Hugging Family Co-blogger Peggy
You can read more general info about me (like rooster attacks) here. Tree Hugging Family has been one of my favorite blogs since Jennifer started it last year. So, I’m thrilled to become part of it now.
There are lots of shades of green. I’m not a ninja green (yoga is about as far as I go in that regard). I’m a manageable, hopeful, “here’s-what-you-can-do” green.
You can expect more ideas, tips and news on how to live simply and more greenly with your family. I’ll also add some endangered species posts. You’ll probably even see some posts about greening your pet. I’ll write about my cute family: my husband Michael (in the photo at the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon) and my cat Choco (that’s me hugging the brat).
What do I do to lessen my impact?
Unfortunately green ideas haven’t caught on as well in my area (here in the Southeastern U.S.) as they have in places like California or the Northwest. I don’t see many shoppers with reusable bags. We don’t have recycling containers in areas with high pedestrian traffic like some other more green-minded cities. But I do see changes slowly taking place. I’m hoping to be a part of that.
In addition to trying to consume less in general, I recycle and reuse when possible. I take reusable shopping bags to the store with me. I look for products with minimal packaging that can be recycled. In my household, I’ve eliminated many disposable items like plastic cups, paper napkins, paper plates, bottled water, paper baking cups and paper coffee filters. (It’s nice to have a shorter shopping list!) I’ll share with you each time I take another step.
I try to buy local and organic food when possible and throw in some meatless meals. I wash my laundry on cold. I work from home so there’s no commute. I combine trips when I do take my silver Honda Civic out for a drive. I’ve gotten off junk mail lists and unsubscribed to catalogs. I decline giving out my phone number when making purchases (this is a way to get on a mailing list).
I make suggestions to grocery store mangers: “Can you add a recycling drop-off for plastic shopping bags?” “Can you add incentives to help encourage shoppers to bring reusable shopping bags to the store?” “Can you leave the lights off in the freezer cases (at least during slow times)?”
Sometimes I’ll write a letter to the editor of a local publication to bring a matter to forethought for everyone. For instance, I wrote about apartment communities not having city recycling services available to them at their apartment complexes. In my freelance writing, I pitch stories about green topics.
I also use silent actions to help eliminate waste, like not redeeming those checkout coupons that make grocery store receipts so long. Most of the time I don’t want whatever product is being promoted, and the coupon is a waste of paper and ink. And I refuse to buy some of the crazy convenience products out there now, such as disposable bowl liners for feeding your pet.
But I won’t list everything I do or don’t do since you do need some surprises! But please do check out my other b5media blog, Junk Creation. It’s a fun hangout for simple reuse ideas and junk projects, as well as junk artist features.
Why am I telling you this?
Well, I used to be passive about being earth friendly. I’d put things off. I didn’t ask questions or make suggestions. I threw away a lot of stuff instead of recycling it. I put off looking for some great reusable shopping bags.
Then, I decided to start acting on my belief that the earth is very important and beautiful. I made it a priority to do my part to protect the earth. It has become habit, and I love it.
I hope to inspire others by my simple actions, and help dispel the myth that being green is expensive. Actually, being green may sometimes take a little more planning, but it does save money. In short, I just want to help you get to know that dark-haired woman hugging the cat.
If you have any green questions or ideas for me, please send them my way at peggy.rowland (at) b5media.com.
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