In recognition of Earth Day, I thought it would be fun to post some GREEN tips. Does anyone have anything really unique they do to do their part???

We have no recycling program here, and I'd like some help on how to go about getting one set up. Any ideas???

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Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

I have pretty much stopped using disposable products, aluminum foil, saran wrap, plastic bags, etc, even though they are usually free after coupon. Instead of using foil on my pans, I now use those Pampered Chef stonewear pans. I use Tupperware or Rubbermaid anything that doesn't go in the garbage after one use.

The less waste the better!

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"A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked." ~ Bernard Meltzer

Most people already do this...but we use the sprial light bulbs now...it saves on energy
We also try to run the dishwasher at night and set the washing machine to run around 2 in the morning

Check with your county on the recycling program, they might have resources for you

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Think about helping out with cancer...
Join the Relay for Life

Interestingly, many GREEN ideas are also money-savers!

Here are a few that I do:

Hang the clothes on plastic hangers to dry -- I actually hang them directly in the closet (I do undies, jeans, towels in drier).
Drive less -- combine trips to market, post office, etc.
Bundle up in Winter... Shade trees that leaf out in Spring on West side of the house keep the house cool in Summer.
Use the flourescent spiral bulbs -- Costco usually has a good deal on these.



Edited and adding as I think of more:

We borrow DVD's and books from the library.
Heater/AC set to come on in the evenings, etc. We have a digital thermostat that is programmable. Heat in Winter - 65, A/C in Summer - 78 (72 at night).
Windows open as much as possible during nice weather.

we recycle everything we can. Luckily we have a good recycling program but when we didn't, we would drive it down to the center (it's now picked up at the curb).

we buy local organic dairy milk and they recycle their containers

I am anal about turning off lights. I have tried the *better* lightbulbs and just hate them. The light was horrid and they had to "warm up" before the light was really on. Maybe it was the brand I bought...don't know

I buy sheets made from bamboo

I don't buy a lot of disposable items

Basically, I try to d what I can

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Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003

We have a great recycling program in our city. I keep 2 cans in the kitchen so we sort as we toss.
We never take our leftovers from resturants. We never eat them and the styrofoam cannot be recycled.
I only run FULL loads of laundry and dishes. I also usually hand wash our pots and pans.

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TLJ ~ Where opinions are encouraged, not deleted

You laugh at me because I am different,
I laugh at you because you are all the same.

Your mind is like a parachute, it only works when it is open.

You may want to try a different brand. Mine come right on, and in fact, last night, I took down the light over the sink, to put the CFL (compact fluorescent light) bulbs in there. Well, ha, they were ALREADY in there. WOW!! I was shocked. We pretty much have them in all the lights in our house.

We turned the hot water heater down, not sure of the temp, but, it's hot enuf coming out of the faucet.

In Winter, we keep the heat on 68, and in the Summer, keep the A/C on 72 or higher.

I was everything I can in cold. No clothes line here, tho.

We don't use the dish washer, only wash by hand.

Our house is all electric, and I think we are doing pretty well....last month's electric bill was $132, and there are 5 people in the house.

Oh, and I compost my food scraps, then use that to mix in with my plants.

I have lately really made a concious effort to buy things that are more "green", even if they cost a little more.

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Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

"I buy sheets made from bamboo"

Where do you find sheets made from bamboo? I'd love to buy some for me and for gifts, as well.

I had dual flush toilets put in both bathrooms. Actually, the soft flush is good for just about everything.

I bought our made from bamboo sheets at Linens n things for about $80 and had a 20% off coupon

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Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003

This is off topic, but since we are on the "green subject" I thought this might be of interest. Home Depot is giving away 1,000,000 of the compact florescent bulbs on Sunday until supplies run out. It is on front page of their website. You just have to visit their store.

THANKS!!!!!!

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Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

I understand the OP's situation of living in an area without a recycling program as it was that way when we lived in Vegas. They had very few resources for recycling anything. Now that we're in Oregon, we try to do as much as we possibly can. You may want to try contacting the environmental agency in your area for tips on setting up a recycling program.

Some other suggestions for "green" living are:
Buying items second hand whenever possible.
Using natural substances for cleaning such as white vinnegar, pumice stones, etc. and turn old clothes into rags to use for cleaning instead of paper towels.
Not flushing the toilet when only urinating.
Buying local fruit, dairy, etc. or growing your own produce.
Freecycle items you no longer use instead of throwing them out.
Walk, bicycle or use public transportation whenever possible instead of driving.

Hope this helps!
Debby

OMG....we tried the whole "if its yellow let it mellow, if its brown flush it down"! I just couldn't it grossed me out.

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Vicki


TLJ Women united in Spirit!

I use canvas tote bags for my groceries. They are always in the back seat of my car and handy. I bought them back in the 80's when recycling was just starting. Publix offered them at their stores and just last week I noticed a display again of canvas recycling bags. I am known as "the bag lady" by my favorite cashier!!!

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Thanks. ~Susan

Please email me at.... snschapin@yahoo.com

Do not value the things you have in your life,
but value who you have in your life!

I have tarp-like reusable bags from Ikea that I use for groceries, and an insulated one from Trader Joe's. You have NO idea how useful an insulated bag is until you get stuck in traffic for three hours. Also, it's nice not having mountains of plastic grocery bags at home.

Here are mine:
- Use Freecycle (Freecycle™: Changing the World One Gift at a Time) a lot. It is amazing what people will take that you think is trash! And I've gotten a few nice things myself.
- Try to buy all my books and DVDs used.
- Try to use a minimum of paper products, and for the paper I do use, I look for paper products that have a high percentage of post-consumer recycled paper in them.
- Use cloth napkins
- Use environmentally friendly laundry detergent.
- Don't buy meat or veggies that have been packaged on that foam stuff.
- Try to get locally grown fruit and veggies.
- Don't buy farmed fish.
- Drive a fuel-efficient small car.

That's all I can think of for now..

OH, I forgot, I also have the front loader washer that uses less water.

I'd like to get those canvas bags for grocery shopping, too. Anyone know how much they cost??

thanks.

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Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

When I replace appliances, they have to be energy efficient.
I have Thermal Drapes as well as window tinting on my windows.
I use the energy efficient CF bulbs (I have been using these bulbs for years).
I have programmable thermostats.
Turn off lights/tv when not in the room.
Wash clothes in cold water.
Keep the a/c at 78/79 degrees.
Turn a/c up to 80 or 91 when not at home.
Use ceiling fans.

The bags I've bought have normally cost about $2, but I suppose some could be more expensive. I have a small car, and really like it. I also get newsletters from idealbite.com with tips. Some are completely impractical, but a lot of them are good.

Oprah is doing a show right now on GREEN TIPS.
She is selling a canvas grocery bag for $9.50.

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Square dancing is friendship set to music!

Martha Stewart is having earth day stuff today too, she just had canvas grocery bags from Whole Foods they were $7,99. She has another one from Envirotote (in New Hampshire) but she didn't say a price on that one.

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I'm in a constant search for the next great freebie or deal.

Oprah is having a green show as we speak! I'm sure her webstie will have some ideas.

I have geo-thermal heating and air....more environmentally friendly...but we had it put in so our bills would be lower!!!! Thats about as green as I get!! Sherri

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"It isn't that liberals are ignorant, it's just that they know so much that isn't so."
- Ronald Reagan