Happy Earth Day! I posted this post last year for Earth Day and wanted to revisit the links, ideas and info for today :) Some of the info and links have been updated - Enjoy!"...To me, being intentionally eco-friendly has more to do with celebrating God’s creativity, being wise with what He’s given us, and passing on those values to the next generation than it does with pressing some government agenda.
+ Single-use bags made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) are the main culprit. Once brought into existence to tote your purchases, they'll accumulate and persist on our planet for up to 1,000 years.
+ The average family accumulates 60 plastic bags in only four trips to the grocery store.
+ Each high quality reusable bag you use has the potential to eliminate an average of 1,000 plastic bags over its lifetime. The bag will pay for itself if your grocery store offers a $.05 or $.10 credit per bag for bringing your own bags. (Source)
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At our house, we have become very consistent with always taking reusable grocery bags. Most stores we grocery shop at (Target, Lowes Foods) offer a $.05 credit per bag used when you bring your own. Check with your local grocer and see if they do the same!
+ A fabulous idea/tutorial about making your own reusable produce bags. Check it out!
The thing I love most about practicing green alternatives in my home is that nine times out of ten, they are the more frugal option. And I love being frugal. Being environmentally-friendly is just good economics – in our home and budget, and with the earth God gave us." - Tsh Oxenreider of Simple Mom
Reusable Grocery (or anything) Bags
Some staggering statistics about plastic bags:
+ Introduced just over 25 years ago, the ugly truth about our plastic bag addiction is that society's consumption rate is now estimated at well over 500,000,000,000 (that's 500 billion) plastic bags annually, or almost 1 million per minute.+ Single-use bags made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) are the main culprit. Once brought into existence to tote your purchases, they'll accumulate and persist on our planet for up to 1,000 years.
+ The average family accumulates 60 plastic bags in only four trips to the grocery store.
+ Each high quality reusable bag you use has the potential to eliminate an average of 1,000 plastic bags over its lifetime. The bag will pay for itself if your grocery store offers a $.05 or $.10 credit per bag for bringing your own bags. (Source)
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At our house, we have become very consistent with always taking reusable grocery bags. Most stores we grocery shop at (Target, Lowes Foods) offer a $.05 credit per bag used when you bring your own. Check with your local grocer and see if they do the same!
+ A fabulous idea/tutorial about making your own reusable produce bags. Check it out!
+ 50 Reusable Grocery Bags You Can Make: Free Patterns. Go here to check it out.
+ Another fabulous tutorial on youtube about how to make your own reusable bags! I have made a few of these. Click below to watch.
Household Cleaning
Brands such as Seventh Generation, Method, Biokleen, Mrs. Meyers, and more have developed tons of excellent cleaning products for a healthier environment. I use Method's Hardwood Floor cleaner and was thoroughly impressed with the results (and it smelled good too, like almonds :)). I also purchased Seventh Generation's Natural all-purpose cleaner with no toxic chemicals and it smelled not good, but did a fabulous job cleaning my counters and cutting through grease on my stovetop.
Now, if you would rather make your own cleaning materials, I often refer to these websites - they have great "recipes" as well as tips on how to get things around your home sparkling clean. You'd be surprised at just how much vinegar and baking soda can do. WOW!
Vinegar and Baking Soda Recipes
Tips for using Vinegar to clean
Natural Home Cleaning Recipes including all-purpose cleaner, dishwashing liquids, laundry cleaning, bathroom cleaning, kitchen cleaning and much more
Around the House
Amazon's Tips on Making Your Kitchen Green
Amazon's Tips for a Greener Bathroom
Amazon's Toys Bestsellers in Eco-Friendly and Green Toys
For You and Your Family:
40 Tips to Go Green at Home from SimpleMom. This is a FABULOUS list - check it out. :)
What about you? Any tips or ideas on being more "green"? What ways have you changed your day-to-day living to be more eco-friendly, or what would you like to start doing to be more eco-friendly?
+ Another fabulous tutorial on youtube about how to make your own reusable bags! I have made a few of these. Click below to watch.
Household Cleaning
Brands such as Seventh Generation, Method, Biokleen, Mrs. Meyers, and more have developed tons of excellent cleaning products for a healthier environment. I use Method's Hardwood Floor cleaner and was thoroughly impressed with the results (and it smelled good too, like almonds :)). I also purchased Seventh Generation's Natural all-purpose cleaner with no toxic chemicals and it smelled not good, but did a fabulous job cleaning my counters and cutting through grease on my stovetop.
Now, if you would rather make your own cleaning materials, I often refer to these websites - they have great "recipes" as well as tips on how to get things around your home sparkling clean. You'd be surprised at just how much vinegar and baking soda can do. WOW!Vinegar and Baking Soda Recipes
Tips for using Vinegar to clean
Natural Home Cleaning Recipes including all-purpose cleaner, dishwashing liquids, laundry cleaning, bathroom cleaning, kitchen cleaning and much more
Around the House
Amazon's Tips on Making Your Kitchen Green
Amazon's Tips for a Greener Bathroom
Amazon's Toys Bestsellers in Eco-Friendly and Green Toys
For You and Your Family:
40 Tips to Go Green at Home from SimpleMom. This is a FABULOUS list - check it out. :)
What about you? Any tips or ideas on being more "green"? What ways have you changed your day-to-day living to be more eco-friendly, or what would you like to start doing to be more eco-friendly?
Thank you for the tutorial. Very detail and easy to follow :).
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