ten things: that I do to be green.

As a very smart frog once said, "It's not easy being green."

I decided that I would do an early Earth Day post, since I will be in Scotland during the actual holiday and I do not know what my internet capabilities will be.  I have a LONG way to go in achieving a life that is as environmentally responsible as I would like it to be, but I thought I might share a few of the changes that I HAVE made as I attempt to live a little greener.  

1. compost: my mum always had a compost going in our backyard and, upon moving into my own place last year, I thought I should have one, too.  Composting is a great way to reduce waste output while creating richer, more nutritious soil for your family garden!  I got my composter from gaiam.com, but for those of you on a budget, you can easily start a compost "pile" or "bin" anywhere in your backyard.

2. reusable bags: by the end of this post I am going to sound like a walking advertisement for Whole Foods, but really that's just because, for me, it is the most conveniently-located store that supports the lifestyle I am striving for.  I have gotten several reusable bags from WF that I use for carrying groceries, papers for grading, and even clothing when I go away for the weekend.  Even if you recycle, taking disposable bags from the grocer tells producers "we need these," which only increases production.  Reusing bags not only reduces waste, but it reduces the need for making MORE disposable bags.

3. responsible coffee: I choose to make my coffee in a french press because it saves energy, reduces waste (no disposable filters!), and it looks très chic!  Doug and I have been drinking this awesome fair-trade coffee that his sister bought for us for Christmas.

4. reusable beverage containers: the less you need to buy, the less waste you create.  It's really as simple as that.  Whenever possible, I carry refillable beverage containers for my morning cup or for water on the go.  Check out this awesome short video on the damage of one-use water bottles: http://www.storyofstuff.org/movies-all/story-of-bottled-water/

5. packaging: so many stores are offering ways to reduce packaging during your trip to the market.  Many grocers offer reusable bags for carrying produce or buying in bulk.  For hardy things like apples and zucchini, I just skip the bag altogether.  Who needs it?  Simply refuse unnecessary packaging.  If your every-day products bulk up on extra plastic, stop buying them!  If you can't live without them, write a letter to the company demanding that they change their ways.  Every dollar you spend (or don't) is a vote for change.

6. eco-friendly products: as someone with sensitive skin, I am drawn to products with no phosphates, sulfates, or added perfume and dyes.  As an environmentalist, these products are becoming a must!  I am more than happy to spend the extra dollar or two on the earth-friendly brands.  According to Seventh Generation: if every household in the U.S. replaced just ONE bottle of 25 oz. petroleum-based dishwashing liquid with a plant-derived product, we could save 5.2 million gallons of oil...

7. consume less meat: start educating yourself on the environmental and health costs of the typical American diet.  Overconsumption of meat is not only dangerous to your health, but it wreaks havoc on the planet!  Eating less meat and choosing meat that is raised in a responsible, humane manner are great steps toward ensuring a better future for your family and the environment.

8. paperless: as someone who LOVES the printed word, it has not been easy for me to make the transition into the digital world.  I love the smell of new books, the feel of a newspaper in my hands, the joy of penning a handwritten letter... but more paper means more trees, and I am slowly training myself to use less of it.  Wish me luck.

9. local/organic: as I mentioned earlier, Whole Foods is the most convenient store for me to shop and still achieve the goals I am working toward.  As a national company, however, WF brings in products from all over the country and all over the world.  I do the best I can to look for local labels and consume foods that are in season.  Yes, I do indulge in my daily cup of coffee and the occasional piece of chocolate, which to my knowledge do not grow in the northeastern U.S., but I try to keep non-local, non-seasonal consumption to a minimum.  In the summer, when I don't have to commute back and forth to work every day, I try to walk to local farmer's markets. And yes, I am willing to pay the extra pretty penny to get products that I know are high-quality and responsible.  For those of you who don't think you can afford the price of organic or local food... I challenge you to look around your budget, I bet if you look hard enough you'll find odds and ends that could be better spent elsewhere.  Just my two cents.

10. walk: living in Hoboken gives me a great opportunity to get around without using my car.  I walk for fun, for exercise, for peace of mind, and to get the things I need.

These are just some of the things that I do to contribute to a better planet.  It's a small list, and I am hoping to expand it as I learn and grow.  What do you do to be green?  I cannot wait to read about it when I get back from Scotland.  Until next week!