“Going Green” seems to be the new, um, black these days. I personally think it’s wonderful that being environmentally friendly is so in vogue. Maybe the planet will still be able to sustain human life when our kids are grown. I can dream.
I was sitting on the deck this weekend and reading a magazine that had an article discussing different things we can incorporate into our daily lives to make the world a better place. (Kind of ironic that a magazine was spouting this, since they jam them so full of paper subscription notices, etc. Never mind the fact that you have to recycle the magazine after you read it). Since it was Earth Day and all, I thought I would take a hard look at what we do around here and see if I am as “green” as I think I am.
- Recycling. We recycle most things that are recyclable. It can be a pain because we have to cart everything into the recycling depot ourselves. It’s worth it for all of the cash we get back from my empty pop bottles. If I really wanted to be proactive I could not by any Diet Coke at all, but we all know that’s only going to happen WHEN I DIE.
- Light bulbs. It is recommended that you buy those pricey energy-efficient ones (you know – those curly bulbs) to replace the inexpensive regular ones. I have a better idea, which not only saves energy, but reduces costs. We won’t replace the old bulbs once they burn out. The kids can just run around willy nilly in the dark. Maybe we’ll even give them some scissors to run with just to make things interesting.
- Using environmentally friendly cleaning supplies. I’ve been trying some of these lately, and that’s a good thing. I’m doing something else to improve on this one. I don’t clean more than once a month. Once the cobwebs start forming is a sign that it’s time to dust. I won’t even tell you what signs my bathrooms are giving me. Just think – less cleaning products being washed down the drain. Look at me go.
- Disposable diapers. We use them. I had full intentions of using cloth diapers, but that was before I actually had kids. I even had a friend give me a stash of unused cloth diapers that had been given to her, but we were too
lazygrossed out to actually use them. We’re still doing our part, though. I leave the kids in their diapers until they are so full of pee that either a) they explode or b) the fasteners give way. Some may call it neglect. I prefer to see it as just doing my part to lower our waste (waste! ha!).
Not only am I reducing waste, I’m conserving both energy (mine) and money. What was Kermit talking about when he said “It ain’t easy being green”? I never would have guessed that mediocrity could be so rewarding.
I do the same thing with the diapers (nappies, as well call them). The kid only gets changed if he’s pooed or if the nappy is sagging around his ankles. On a good day, we only have to use 3. Bad days, more like 6. The kid likes to poo.
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LOL, that was gooder!
We recycle too, and we have got the energy efficient bulbs, Ikea has really cheap ones (I love Ikea, and they are all about doing good for the environment, I know this having been through all their work orientation stuff, I used to work there).
Cleaners, I haven’t made that switch, but I should, I will look into it. Diapers, I am gonna stick with disposables, besides I am not convinced that either are better or worse for the environment. Cloth ones have to be washed (using water obviously) and both the washer and dryer use electricity so…
not to mention all the extra work!!
I have also heard that recycling has it effects on the environment too, all the energy that goes into processing the paper and plastic to that it can be reused and the waste left over form those processes. Nothing is perfect…
I do think recycling to good though.
Yikes that was a long comment!
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Have you seen the Al Gore movie? Yikes. Now that’s a horror flick:)
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Ha! I hear ya! I was just thinking the other day that the fact that I haven’t cleaned the house in two weeks is really a good thing. Except for how gross it is.
Oh well, it’s give and take right?!
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I love the post Angella! So fun. I also think we’re going to stop buying gifts for children. All gifts for all occasions in order to cut out all that packaging. From now on all children who know me will get ‘green’ gifts like rocks and branches.
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haha!
And, good comment, Amanda — Ben would love a cloth bag full of dirt — he’d be as happy as a pig in mud!
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There are environmentally friendl(ier) diapers for sale in the UK (and Australia too I think). They cost the same as huggies and pampers but are more biodegradable and have less chemicals. Brilliant. Lazy & better for the environment. I can’t understand why everyone doesn’t use them!
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Hee hee, you’re so funny Angella, and good for you for doing your part for the environment!
I think when I have kids, they’ll get empty juice boxes to play with, then when the juice boxes are completely torn to shreds I can recycle them! I’ve thought of everything. Lucky kids…
=)
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HAHA!! I love it!! You have such a great way of thinking Ang. I will have to start doing those same things here. I could only imagine the kids in the dark, Haylei with a overly full diaper, playing in all the dust, dog hair and cob webs. OOH, I could collect all that dog hair and make some coats for us then we could not use heat either!! I think James would freak though!! LOL!!! You crack me up girl!!
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Hi….just popped over to say Hi. A “LADY” once went into hyper-active vocab once at me for using disposables in a kids bathroom….her grand-daughter was screamiong her nappy rashed achy butt off and her daughter-in-law was shakely trying to change her with tears rolling down her face…I offered her some cream and a nappy….and it all went terribly wrong. I was responsible for everything from….distroying the planet to being wasteful fianancially from this “LADY”….eventually her daughter-in-law spun round made a comment about “carbon”, stuck the towel nappy in a bin and used the disposable!
We do recycle though….and clean if needed with enviromentally friendly things! See ya again!
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