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Greener Days

4/1/2009 12:00:00 AM

            While recently hosting a party I was overrun by my guilt over not being greener.  The plastic containers, soda cans and glass jars sitting in my trash can stared at me, begging to be set free by a recycling container.  Is it possible that there are still people out there (besides me) that don’t recycle?  Ashamed and embarrassed, I got the hint.  In looking around my house I found dozens of other little changes that my family and I could make to be more environmentally friendly.  Practice a few of these tips and help reduce your family’s “footprint” on the earth.

·         Skip the plastic zipper storage bags.  Try containers that can be washed and reused.  You will save some serious space in the local landfill and keep some green in your pocket.

·         Combine quick errands into one large trip.  Short trips burn up the gas and pump out exhaust and emissions.  Be sure to turn your car off instead of idling. The exhaust not only produces greenhouse gases but can irritate asthma, allergies and other sensitivities in children and adults.  Even better, walk or ride your bike.

·         Brown bag it!  If you must use the plastic bags at the grocery store instead of brown paper bags, reuse or recycle them.  Many stores will recycle these bags for you or use them to line your trash can or to clean up after your pooch.  Additionally, bring your lunch from home.  Avoid Styrofoam take-out containers, plastic silverware and condiment wrappers.  Use a few less napkins too!

·         Turn it off!  Buy power strips and plug in your small appliances.  One switch turns off all of those blinking lights and rechargers that draw energy even when not in use.  Install a programmable thermostat to regulate the temperature in your home.  Set it to use less energy at night or when the house is less active.  Take the next step and utilize timers on the power cords around the house.  Program the switches to turn off when you know that your family will not be using the energy or appliances in a specific room. 

·         Take it back.  Paint, motor oil, batteries, any hazardous household waste, as well as medication, should be disposed of properly.  Chemicals, solvents and unused medications can leach into and contaminate the ground and waterways.  To locate the closest hazardous household waste program or mobile collection schedule, check out www.marc.org/environmental/soidwaste/hhw/index.htm.  If a medication take-back program is not available in your area, dispose of medication in the original child-proof containers.  Wait until the morning of your trash pick-up to add medications to the trash to help keep children from being curious. 

·         Ditch the bottled water.  Buy a few reusable containers for you and your kids and kick the bottled water habit.  Most water bottles, an estimated 50 billion annually, end up in landfills rather than being recycled. Plus, at a dollar or more per bottle, we spend big bucks on the convenience each year!

·         Modify the spring clean.  The chemicals and fragrances added to your cleaning supplies don’t just affect your home and your children but the rivers and streams near you.  Consider switching to cleaning products labeled hypo-allergenic, plant based, fragrance and dye free.  These cleaners do not contain many of the questionable chemicals found in traditional cleaners.  Homemade cleaners that use distilled vinegar, baking soda, salt and lemon often work just as well as store bought cleaners.

·         Be a little crafty.  There’s nothing craftier than a toilet paper or paper towel tube.  Transformed into numerous art projects, these provide hours of fun.  Many trash-bound items can be turned into a crafter’s treasure.  Egg cartons hold paint, baby food jars organize beads, buttons and ribbons, and plastic cups carry pencils and paint brushes.  Think outside of the box and keep your “trash” from hitting the can.

·         Go plant something.  A few flowers in the backyard, veggies in the patch, herbs in the window or even a terrarium in the bedroom.  Your children will breathe better, become more connected to the earth and learn just how important it is to take care of what we have. 

·         Consider a hybrid when it is time to replace your gas guzzling SUV or minivan.  They are considerably more stylish, widely available and less expensive than you might think.  If replacing your car is not in your near future, make sure that you keep your car tuned up and your tires properly inflated to improve your gas mileage and minimize excess exhaust.

·         Let your baby be green.  Wooden toys, stylish clothes made from natural fibers and the “new” cloth diapers keep your babe from contributing more than necessary to landfills. 

·         Shop for repurposed or recycled items.  Razors, clocks, pencils and even handbags are being brought to life by recycling bins.  A little time shopping internet sites like www.re-modern.com and you can rake in some fabulous items while you save the universe, one landfill at a time.  Check out www.nike.com and see how your old athletic shoes can be turned into a basketball court (Reuse-A-Shoe).

·         Give up the lush greens.  No, not your veggies but your “weed and feed” lawn care routine.  Not only do the chemicals run off and end up in nearby water sources but playing children and pets can easily get them on their skin or in their lungs or eyes. Visit Green Circle Garden Center or Planter Seed Company in the River Market area for organic products such as seeds, potting soil, fertilizers and pesticides. 

·         Change your light bulbs.  Switch from traditional bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs and you will pocket the savings.  You will use less energy and the bulbs will last much longer.  

·         Buck up for the fancy cup.  Avoid the paper cups at your local coffee house or at the office.  Purchase a mug or buy a travel cup.  You can save hundreds of cups and lids from hitting the trash.   An extra bonus is some of the larger coffee chains will knock off a few cents for bringing in your own cup.

·         Reconstruct your view.  When it is time to renovate or add on to your home check out your local salvage shop.  Shops like Foundation Architectural Reclamation, Urban Mining Homewares and Antiquities and Oddities Architectural Salvage are bursting with previously loved building materials, architectural pieces, tiles, even doorknobs and windows.   If you don’t find what you are seeking at a salvage place, visit one of the local Habitat for Humanity ReStore locations.  Contractor-donated materials are sold at outlet prices, and you will be helping a great cause with each purchase.

·         Upgrade your dry cleaner.  The Metro area has dry cleaners on nearly every block that use new more earth-friendly methods and solvents to clean your clothing.  Check out www.GreenEarthCleaning.com or www.HangersKC.com for a list of locations (I was amazed to see how many there are in my neighborhood).  Additionally, skip the plastic and ask for your clothes to be folded.  Save the tissue paper for craft projects, gift bags or packing your next box of goodies. 

·         Host a “new to you” party.  Invite your friends to bring clothes, accessories, household items, kids gear and anything else they would like to set free, spread it out and start shopping.  Donate any items not scooped up to a local charity.  Numerous online sites offer swapping, too. Visit www.kcfreecycle for great stuff right here in the Metro!

 

Caroline Horton is doing her best to live a little greener in Overland Park with her husband and six children.

Caroline Horton

filed under: Earth Day

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Go Green Earth Day 3 Rs Recycling Recycle Organic