Current Practices

Since I am not quite ready to post the first change of the week, I decided to post about some of the things Matt and I already do to lessen our impact on the environment.

1. We use reusable bags while shopping. Sure there are times when we end up shopping and don't plan ahead. In those times, we either tell the cashier we don't want a bag or just suck it up as a learning lesson to always bring a bag! Thankfully, we can reuse and/or recycle the rare occasion plastic bag.
• Tip: Always ask about a discount for bringing your own (both Meijer and Target give customers .05 back for each bag they bring--others do as well).
2. We use CFLs everywhere possible. Our nightlights use LED or tiny bulbs that are not available in CFLs but consume very little electricity anyway. Luckily, none have ever burnt out on us--if they do, we'll have to get to work on finding a recycling facility that accepts them.
3. We recycle! This seems like it should be obvious, but it's not. This is done in two ways:
• We separate and collect plastics 1-7, cardboard, cans, aluminum foil, electronics, and paper. I'm sure something is missing from this list, but the point is, we make more than an effort. The goal of "bumping up recycling efforts" has to do with work AND special collection of number 5 plastics...we'll explore these soon.
• We donate or sell no longer desired items. If a sweater is in perfectly good condition and I no longer want it, why would it make sense to trash it when someone else can give it a second life? This goes for all clothes, furniture, books, CDs, DVDs, and anything else that comes up.
4. We do not consume meat in our house. I'm a vegetarian; Matt is an omnivore. This is not my rule: it's his. This means we do not cook meat in our house and we do not bring meat prepared elsewhere into our house. Matt sometimes eats meat for lunch or if we're out for dinner.
5. We do not purchase paper/plastic plates, cups, or utensils. Again, this should be obvious, but a lot of people rely on these items daily. Why use a one-time-item when I can reuse (on multiple occasions) the same item made of a sustainable material? Sometimes when we eat out, however, plastic utensils are given to us even when we decline them. These do get used for lunches at work.

That's enough on this topic for today.  Thanks for reading :) 

Suggestions, comments, and questions are always welcome!