17 replies to this topic

[katniss]

So, what will your green commitment be?

This week, what will you do to leave less of a footprint or lead a greener
lifestyle?  Its all well and good talking about it, now its time to do something.

Me first! :)

I'll be sorting a better way of composting kitchen waste, as well as sorting a bigger recycling bin. And putting a stash of carrier bags to re-use in the car ready for trips to the supermarket and generally reducing my use of plastics - reusing what I can.

[zararina]

I try to save as much electricity and water on a daily basis. I also segregate those items that can be recycled or sold in junk shops than just throwing them. Walk than ride a vehicle as much as possible. And continuously learn how to be more"green" through joining forums like this and reading articles.

[mariaandrea]

I'm currently working an office job 3 days a week (instead of exclusively at home, like I've been doing) and I take the bus to and from work. Many of our buses are hybrid or electric vehicles - the one on my route is a hybrid. I will be walking to and from the grocery store instead of driving and I'll be starting to plant my balcony garden this week. I'm also FINALLY going to break down the cardboard boxes I have sitting in a hallway from weekly CSA organic produce deliveries. I'll give some back to the CSA, store some for future needs and turn a few into art projects. I won't need to recycle any of them!

[dconklin]

It is easier for me in the spring, summer and fall to be green.  I walk as much as I can.  I have been driving my car 2 days a week except for the quick trip for the kids to go to activities.  I have been buying plenty at the store so I do not have to drive there as often (even tho the store is only a 10 minute drive.)  I used to be bad about that.  I used to buy for a couple of days and then go back a couple times a week.  I only recently thought about how wasteful on gas it was.

I can walk to many places here so this helps.  I also have used the TV less, this is our biggest electricity burners.  The jeans have been hung out to dry outside, I haven't done all of my clothes because it has been dry and dusty here.

[Usty]

I'll take a mini trash bag with me when I go walking, and pick up any trash I see on the side of the road.

[dconklin]

Usty, on 23 April 2012 - 12:03 PM, said:

I'll take a mini trash bag with me when I go walking, and pick up any trash I see on the side of the road.

Great way to keep the area clean! We have multiple garbage cans down our road so people often use them.  You will find garbage blowing around after garbage night tho.  It is always nice when people will pick up the trash on the side of the road that too many people toss out the window.

[MyDigitalpoint]

My dreaming commitment is switching to solar power in full, but I'm aware this isn't a short-term goal, so I'm trying to save electricity for now, recycle as much as possible and find new ways to reuse household stuff every day.

[aphil]

I'm concentrating on being conscious not to waste water and to cut back on using electricity unnecessarily. The more I become conscious, the better I am able to catch myself when I am running water and not really using it or to just turn off lights, tv, etc. when I am not using them. I am also reading and studying about living green and about environmental issues to be inspired to do more.
I agree with putting trash in the receptacles and thankfully, our neighborhood has plenty of them. We also have the bins for plastic bottles.

[wldtky44]

My brother and I are building wind turbines for our houses. Later we'll be looking into the solar side of things because giving our area a combination of wind and solar energy will work out very well

[steph84]

This week I am finally going to take this e-waste to a recycling event at my local park. I have so many keyboards, cell phones and broken mice that need to be recycled. There is so much clutter in my office and I can't wait to recycle it.

[4leafclover]

Okay my turn, I only have 3 things in my mind for this week to pay particular attention to:

> reduce the use of AC
> create organic fertilizers out from food left overs and other biodegradable wastes
> list stores, brands that are Earth-lovers and make sure I patronize their products

[Shortpoet-GTD]

4leafclover, on 25 April 2012 - 09:34 AM, said:

Okay my turn, I only have 3 things in my mind for this week to pay particular attention to:

> reduce the use of AC
> create organic fertilizers out from food left overs and other biodegradable wastes
> list stores, brands that are Earth-lovers and make sure I patronize their products

Bravo!
For the first one, get 1 or 2 good oscillating fans. You can turn your a/c to a higher temp, and not feel
the difference because the fan is moving the air around=feels cooler.
And fans draw less electric that setting an a/c lower.

As for composting, if you don't have space for a pile, get a tumbler composter. Neater, no odors, easier to work with.

[4leafclover]

Shortpoet-GTD, on 26 April 2012 - 03:48 AM, said:

Bravo!
For the first one, get 1 or 2 good oscillating fans. You can turn your a/c to a higher temp, and not feel
the difference because the fan is moving the air around=feels cooler.
And fans draw less electric that setting an a/c lower.

As for composting, if you don't have space for a pile, get a tumbler composter. Neater, no odors, easier to work with.

Thanks for the boost! That was for last week, I am continuing on doing those things for the weeks to come and I am adding something to it:

>shop at the mall that gives me discount when I carry my own shopping bag :)
>it might be costly but I have to dispose some appliances that are years old already since they consume more electricity.

[tigerlily78]

Just wanted to applaud everyone for their new commitments to going green!

I am making a commitment to go through my house room by room and pare down a lot of the stuff we have accumulated. My son is 13 now, so there are many toys I know could be passed along to better use. I have a good deal of stuff saved in the garage that I have made a commitment to finally use for "that great project I wanted to do", or that should finally be recycled or given away. I know my husband and I both have piles of clothes that we never wear anymore due to changes in size or personal style, so it will be nice to have a little breathing room in the closet and will undoubtedly make it easier to find the outfits I really want to wear.

[dconklin]

tigerlily78, on 29 April 2012 - 05:02 PM, said:

Just wanted to applaud everyone for their new commitments to going green!

I am making a commitment to go through my house room by room and pare down a lot of the stuff we have accumulated. My son is 13 now, so there are many toys I know could be passed along to better use. I have a good deal of stuff saved in the garage that I have made a commitment to finally use for "that great project I wanted to do", or that should finally be recycled or given away. I know my husband and I both have piles of clothes that we never wear anymore due to changes in size or personal style, so it will be nice to have a little breathing room in the closet and will undoubtedly make it easier to find the outfits I really want to wear.

I had started to go through stuff again too, spring cleaning! I usually keep up with donating, but there are things that I set aside thinking I will use it at a later date.  That later date has never got here and honestly doesn't look like it will be used.  I had a couple of bags for donations and I have another room to do.

[aspen]

I have been walking much more than I have done. I park the car and now hoof around town carrying a backpack. I leave a thermos and snack in the car for my return. Try it some time. It is a real buzz.

[BillK22]

Mine is properly inflated tires and carpooling.  Carpooling is sometimes a hassle, but its worth it, and you get to know people better.

[SFloridaMike]

Commitments thus far:

Switching to CFLs,
Buying an energy star fridge with plans to buy other green appliances,
Changing my A/C filter monthly, keeping the thermostat at 75-77 degrees.
Taking short showers that are relatively cool when possible,
Keeping the curtains drawn on warm days
Monitoring energy usage with the new smart meter installed by the utility company

Haven't bought a hybrid just yet, but am in the market for one, probably a Civic Hybrid